Sales Gnosis

The Christmas Star conundrum. Fresh knowledge of the old astrological beliefs and contemporary computer-based planetary tables may yet shed new light on this age-old query. But before going back in time to explore the potential answers, one needs to realize the many problems the questions.

Matthew is the only one of the four gospels which brings up either the Star of Bethlehem or the magi. The Gospel of Mark, considered by modern-day text scholars to be the most historic of the Gospels, does not include a nativity narrative or any suggest that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The author of the Gospel of John also looks to be unaware of the Bethlehem nativity narratives. The Gospels often reported Jesus as “of Nazareth,” but never as “of Bethlehem”. Many scholars have reasoned that Jesus was plausibly born in Nazareth and that the nativity narratives are influenced by the desire of the Gospel writers to depict his birth as a fulfillment a prophecy in the Book of Micah concerning a Bethlehem birth.

Matthew’s description of the miracles and omens attending the birth of Jesus can be equated to stories bearing on the birth of Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Linking a birth to the first appearance of a star was reconciled with the standard belief each person’s life was united to a particular star. Magi and astronomical events were adjacent in the public mind by the visit to Rome of a delegation of magi at the time of a dramatic appearance of Halley’s Comet in AD 66.

There are legion other elements that bring to the puzzle, including the uncertainty in the sure date of Christ’s birth and the terminology used to describe celestial events during the Stars appearance some 20 centuries ago. For instance, any celestial object bright enough to attract attention was ready to be called a “star.” Meteors, for instance, were considered “shooting” or “falling ” stars; comets were “hairy” stars; novae were “new” stars and planets were called “wandering” stars.

Numerous individuals find themselves at a time in their life where simply don’t know what to do next. You might be a student who has just graduated, or perhaps in your 60s and just retired from work. Maybe you’ve been laid off from work and are demoralised at having no job, but every bit as disheartened by the variety of work placements available. In times like these, we often seek an alternative course of action. A group known as DNA (dna-uk.org) are providing a “third way” – to spend your Youth Work Gap Year in a Christian church.

DNA offer placements in Christian churches, running from October to August. This is seen as a “year in with God, not a year out.”, involving the participant to live inside a Christian surrounding – either within your own church if you already attend one, or a specified church if you’re not presently a member of a church. Your typical day will involve assisting with the everyday projects of the church, and to be trained by its fellow members in bible studies. The course ensures faith in action, so those who enroll can anticipate a very pragmatic experience of living their faith, and not merely the theoretical study.

More advantages of the studies include:-

• being challenging, refreshing and life changing
• helping 18 year olds and older, as there’s no upper age limit (they’ve trained people in their 60s!)
• equipping you for church based leadership
• preparing you for the workplace environment
• relational, non religious Christianity; it’s fun!

There are 3 sorts of course open : Track 1 is the predominant access point to DNA – it is the fullest DNA expereince. The overwhelming majority of people select this as the best-fit pick for them. Track 2 is more acceptable to you if taking a whole “year-out” is not pragmatically achievable. This could be for reasons such as your workplace or family commitments. Track 2 therefore provides some flexibility. Track 3 provides people the chance of joining us for as many individual training sessions or days as they want.