{"id":5356,"date":"2015-01-06T21:57:27","date_gmt":"2015-01-07T01:57:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=5356"},"modified":"2015-01-26T15:50:26","modified_gmt":"2015-01-26T19:50:26","slug":"captains-log-stardate-bethlehem-1415","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=5356","title":{"rendered":"Captain’s Log: Stardate Bethlehem (1\/4\/15)"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Pastor Jim’s sermon on January 4 looked forward to the day of Epiphany<\/a><\/span>, which technically occurs on January 6.\u00a0 How do the star and the search for the Messiah speak to us today?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Our scripture reading was Matthew 2:1-12.\u00a0 Click the “Play” button to listen to the recording of the sermon and then scroll down and follow along…<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\nhttps:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Sermon-2014-01-04a-Captains-Log-Stardate-Bethlehem-by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-stereo.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

Matthew 2:1-12<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

\"the-three-magi-160632__180\"<\/a>Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem, in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. At about that time some astrologers from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, \u00a0 \u201cWhere is the newborn King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in far-off eastern lands and have come to worship him.\u201d<\/p>\n

3 King Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, and all Jerusalem was filled with rumors.\u00a0 He called a meeting of the Jewish religious leaders. \u201cDid the prophets tell us where the Messiah would be born?\u201d he asked. \u00a0 \u201cYes, in Bethlehem,\u201d they said, \u201cfor this is what the prophet Micah wrote:\u00a0 \u2018O little town of Bethlehem, you are not just an unimportant Judean village, for a Governor shall rise from you to rule my people Israel.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

7 Then Herod sent a private message to the astrologers, asking them to come to see him; at this meeting he found out from them the exact time when they first saw the star. Then he told them,\u00a0 \u201cGo to Bethlehem and search for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him too!\u201d<\/p>\n

9 After this interview the astrologers started out again. And look! The star appeared to them again, standing over Bethlehem.\u00a0 Their joy knew no bounds! \u00a0 Entering the house where the baby and Mary, his mother, were, they threw themselves down before him, worshiping. Then they opened their presents and gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.<\/p>\n

12 But when they returned to their own land, they didn\u2019t go through Jerusalem to report to Herod, for God had warned them in a dream to go home another way.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Wise Men Trivia…<\/span><\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t

How many were there?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
The Bible doesn’t say.\u00a0 The only reason we have the image of “Three Wise Men” is because the Bible mentions three gifts.\u00a0 But would the arrival of 3 men cause such a stir?\u00a0 More likely, the party of “wise men” consisted of several hundred people.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
\n\t\t\t\t\t

When did they arrive?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
Traditionally it was 12 days after Christmas. But note that Herod tried to kill all babies up to two years old. Note also that by the time the Magi arrived, Mary and Joseph were in a “house” (not in a stable).<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What was this star?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
There are several theories on what it might have been:<\/p>\n