In the year when Jesus was born, there was violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It was dark. The Magi found him by way of the star, which was the "meeting" of 3 stars: Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. They followed the star until it rested on where he was and they began to worship him. In a time when it was dark, Light was brought in to our world. Jesus stepped in to the chaos and brought peace.
Fast forward to this year, 2020. It's a time of violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It is dark. Winter Solstice, December 21st, being a time where the day is the shortest and night is the longest...it's literally the "darkest day" and is the beginning of what most would say the cold, dark winter season.
But on the darkest day this year, Jupiter and Saturn meet, giving us the Christmas Star! How fitting...that in the moment of time during the Christmas season that we get to see this beautiful reminder...that even in the darkest of times...Light will, and has, stepped in. In our chaos He is there. In our darkest time, He is there. He brings Light, and makes all things new.
So as we look out on Dec 21st for the Christmas Star, may we all be reminded of His power, and His Light that he brings for all mankind. He is perfect at stepping into chaos and bringing it into peace.
So true! There are no coincidences like this, God is consoling us. He knows how 2020 is, sees what we're up against.
ReplyDeletePlease God, help us, have mercy on us, there are so many of them, and they are vicious.
Salve, Deacon,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to have to tell you this, but the current conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn can in no way be compared with the Star of the Gospel of St. Matthew. Many modern men of science -- even Kepler -- have tried to explain the Christmas star as you did -- as a conjunction of three of the planets. But traditional Catholic biblical scholars are in agreement that the Christmas star was not a "natural phenomenon," as Fr. Giuseppe Ricciotti wrote in the Life of Christ in 1944. He elaborates and presents proof that it was a one-time miraculous object that moved, stopped, changed its direction, and stayed exceedingly bright "as a torch" for the many weeks it took for the Magi to reach Bethlehem. There is too much to indicate that it was truly a sign miraculously placed by Almighty God to signal the birth of His Son. As an amateur astronomer of several decades, I can only tell you that what is described by St. Matthew in his Gospel is not possible for a planetary conjunction or a comet or any other natural astronomical phenomena. I hope I do not offend you in saying that when we try to find natural explanations for the miraculous, and promote such errors, we do a grave disservice to the Most High. Please reconsider changing your posting. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year, Tony Ambrosetti.
A beautiful reflection and reminder during these very dark times!
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