Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-24
The Star of Bethlehem
- he story Of the star of Bethle-
II hem has ever been a favorite
II one with painters and poets

hem has ever been a faVorite
III one with painters and poets
and has been a subject of seri-
Gus study by theologians and scientists.
Many astronomers have asserted that
the heavenly visitant was a comet and
have even sought to identify it with
some of the comets now known.
Churchmen, on the other hand, have
combated these attempts to ascribe
natural cause to the phenomenon and
have contended that the gospel text
shows the star to have been sent by
miracle to guide the wise men to the
Christ Child. One of the favorite theo-
ries in the early days of the church
was that a luminous angel shining like
a star led the magi on their way. An
other explanation was that the Holy
Ghost took the form of a star, as he
afterward did that of dove at the
time of the baptism of Jesus by John.
The beautiful tale OF the star of Beth
lehem is contained in the second chap
ter of Matthew:
Now, when Jesus was born in Beth
lehem, in Judea, in the days of Herod.
the king behold. there came wise men
from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is be that is born
king of the Jews? for we have seen
his star in the east and are come to
worship him"
HerOd is troubled on hearing this
and calls in his chief priests and
scribes to learn where Christ should
be born. They told him in Bethlehem.
The account goes on:
Then Herod, when he had privily
called the wise men, inquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared
And he sent them into Bethlehem
and said. Go and search diligently for
the young child, and when We have
found him bring me word again. that
l may come and worship him also
when they had heard the king they
departed, and. 10, the star which they
had seen In the east went before them
till 1t came and stood over where the
young child was.
when they saw the star they re-
joiced with exceeding great joy"
They did not return TO Herod, how
ever, being warned in a dream
Another story of the Nativity that
has made an equal appeal to artists is
that OF the shepherds. This occurs in
the second chapter of Luke:
And there were In the same coun.
try shepherds abiding in the field.
keeping watch over their flock by
night.
And. 10. the angel of the Lord
came upon them. and the glory of the
Lord shone round about them, and
they were sore afraid
"And the angel said unto them. Fear
not. for. behold. bring you good It'd
ings of great joy, which shall be to all
people.
For unto you is born this day. in the
city of David. a Saviour. which Is
Christ the Lord.
And this shall be sign unto you:
Ye shall end the babe wrapped in swad-
| ding clothes lying IN a manger.
And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying:
Glory to God In the highest. and on
/ earth peace. good will toward men"
| Nineteen hundred years have passed.
and the Child has become the leader
| of the nations. Only three important
/ countries are now outside of Chris
I tiAn rule OF these Turkey is being
I dismembered. Japan is seriously con
sidering the inclusion of large part
| of Christianity in her state religion,
and China has gone through a revolu-
/ ton many Of the leaders Of which
were Christian converts and which
resulted in stablish.ng a republic aft
| er the model OF our own.