Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle

Oh and Happy Epiphany. Always loved the three kings at the manger. Now some theologians are calling that into doubt. :-(

That's better. Worth doing over.

Some current "theologians" are pathetic. I doubt many of them are religious at all and simply try to find reasons to disprove anything the faithful believe in.

The prophet Zoroaster (Zarthustra), wrote for His followers to watch for a star that would lead them to the next Intermediary / Messenger of God's Word. As Baha'is, we believe that "the Word made flesh" to walk amongst us wasn't only Jesus of Nazareth, for if we look at Old Testament Micah 5:2, we are told that he had appeared before, and, if we read correctly, many, many times -- "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." This time, Micah was told, He would appear in Bethlehem. So one of His (the Holy Spirit's) previous appearances, was called Zoroaster, and He wrote that the Holy Spirit would appear again and a sign would appear in the heavens -- that "star" that guided the three wise men (magi) from the east (Zoroastrian priests) who brought gifts worthy of a king. Frankensense and myrrh (sp? ) were used in ointments to annoint kings, and the gold they brought assisted the Holy Family to go incognito to Egypt and avoid King Herod's decree about the slaying of boy children. God, in mysterious ways, His wonders doth perform.

And, of course, Jesus of Nazareth, speaking as the Christ -- the Holy Spirit personified once again -- said He would come again. Not as Jesus of Nazareth, but, as mentioned in the Book of Revelation, with a "new name" -- "I will write upon him my new name."

So, I join with you in being thankful for the Epiphany -- the celebration of the coming of the three wise men to worship the Christ child!

May your New Year, pixipixil, be blessed, healthy and prosperous!

It certainly seems that way, trynfindit.

Thank you Luvswesterns and may yours be also.
It's interesting you mention about the gold helping the Holy Family go incognito because I came to that conclusion in meditating on the wise men. In fact I believe the phrase "from the east" refers to the fact that their group was an eastern cult--the magi--but that these 3 magi had lived in Egypt and visited just before Jesus was presented in the temple. I think they went with the Holy family to the temple that day and were part of the celebration. Then when the extended family was celebrating and feasting that night, they all left quietly while everyone was eating. I think Elizabeth, Zacchariah and their baby left with them or Herod would have killed John as well. (Historically there was a settlement of magi living in Egypt. It would explain how they could follow a star in the east to Bethlehem as Egypt is west of Judea. ) It's so easy to get the wrong impression from a translation.

We keep our Christmas decorations up until Epiphany. We have a Nativity silhouette in our front yard under an arbor. We have the arbor lit with small white lights, the Nativity sits on hay that we spread out all under the arbor and there are 4 of those white spiral trees lit with white lights. A small flood light lights up the whole display.

That sounds really lovely, trynfindit. If I could find a way to keep the fuse from turning off the lights outside every time it rains or snows I'd put up outdoor things too. After years of trying only to be defeated I gave up.

An interesting theory, pixipil, indeed. But the verse itself is a bit confusing that refers to the wise men and the star. It states that "wise men from the east" came, and told Herod they had "seen his star in the East", which I've always thought was like saying, "In the East, where we live, we have seen this special star, and followed it here." Regardless, there was this special confluence in the heavens announcing the coming of the Messiah, and wise men of another religion recognized the sign and searched to find that precious Soul.

I think you're absolutely right that Elizabeth, Zacchariah and John also went to Egypt with the Holy Family, and thus John's life was also saved.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year. And here's hoping this new year be a better year for the whole world as well.

It's been lovely talking to you, Luvswesterns. When the virus is finally a non-threat and things go back to "normal" I think we will all have a better appreciation of the blessings God has given and take better care to thank Him.
Hoping you and yours also have a very happy 2021...and that it will be a better year around the world.

Me too! It took me 1 hour 24 min longer than "countjac" to finish! I use a laptop - maybe that's not good enough...