Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-12-12
The Star of
Bethlehem
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he story Of the star Of Bethle.
hem has ever been q favorite
one with painters and poets
and has been subject of seri-
Gun study by theologians and scientists.
Many astronomers have. asserted that
uae heavenly visitant was comet and
nave even sought to identify it with
some of the comets now known.
Churchmen, on the other hand, have
oombated these attempts to ascribe a
natural cause to the phenomenon and
have contenGed 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.
des in the early days of the church
was that luminous angel shining like
star led the magi on their way. An
other explanation was that the Holy
GhOst took the form Of 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.
lshem is contained in the second chap.
ter Of Matthew:
E4NOW, 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, ..-s
Saying, Where is he 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
tcr1bes to learn where Christ should
be born. They told him in Bethlehem.
The account goes on: Ill.,.
tFhen 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
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 the y re-
Joted with exceeding great joy" 49,
They did not return to Herod. how
ever. being warned in 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 couri,
Try shepherds abiding In the field.
Keeping watch over their 6ock BY
night. ...-..-...... 1870.
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 - ..'-'--
i And the angel said unto them. Fear
not, for. behold, bring you good It'd
fnSs Of great joy. which shall be to all
people.
For unto you is born this day. in the
city of David. Saviour. which is
Christ the Lord. ....
"And this shall be a sign unto you:
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swad.
ding clothes lying in manger.
And suddenly there was with the
angel 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
tan rule. OF these Turkey is being
dismembered. Japan is seriously con
sidering the inclusion of large part
of Christianity in her state religion.
ton many OF the leaders OF which
were Christian converts and which
resulted in establishing republic aft.
er the model of our own.
Not only is the whole earth being
brought under Christian domino ton.
but the Christian nations themselves
are finding new depths of meaning in
the Masters utterances. and new cults
are springing into life to carry into
effect some Of his neglected teachings
Never In history has there been found
a word so vital that important new
movements for humanity were found.
ed on It so long after It's first promul.
cation.
Now Tor the first time in history IL
llhe1e real and tangible hope that
15ersal peace may come, thus fulfill
- the angelic prophecy made to the
S.
SIN the star shines across the ages,
Ind still is heard the heavenly voice Of
Peace on earth. good will toward
men,"