 | traderboy (25)
03/08/2006 |  An unknown number (the Bible doesn't give specifics) of "Magi" (so named by the Persians and Brahmins) are led from their eastern regions to Jerusalem by a "star" (which was likely just the astrological massing of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn on February 20th, 6 B.C.E.). Guided by Yahweh, the lads STILL had to stop for directions in Matthew 2:1-8 (something most guys wouldn't do with a gun stuck in their ribs); they make some out-of-character allusions as to the birth of a Jewish king, then get a map to Bethlehem from Herod; the "star" stops over Mary and Joseph's house, where the boys unload their goodies and spill the beans of their stopover at Herod's place (where they no doubt saw his panicked reaction to their inquiries); knowing how superstitious rulers were about ANYTHING being prophesied during those times, Joseph and company packed grips and lit out for Egypt until the suspected heat died down (but not before cluing the Magi into the idea that Herod might not be too pleased with seeing them again). A cute story, but one that has its roots buried in the previous traditions of Confucius, Krishna, Mithra, Zoroaster, Osiris, Pythagoras, and Socrates. One wonders why it was even included in the Bible, as astrology involved divination (forbidden to the Jews, as their calendar was regulated by temple priests), and the writer of Matthew was probably Jewish. Still a good sales tool on greeting cards and seasonal church program covers, though.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
 | scarletfeather (47)
08/21/2004 | Better than 3 blind mice. Can you imagine the 3 Wise Men, stumbling around, clueless and confused? Back then you couldn't make things out on Yahoo.
(3 voted this helpful, 0 funny and 0 agree) |
