I know the real birthday of Jesus!

[cedardryad]

So I'm watching a Christmas on National Geographic and an astronomer has actually pinpointed the exact date when Jesus was born. He went by the whole "north star" thing. He found an old Roman coin that had the symbol of the Ram on it along with a star in the background. The Ram represents Aries and Judea as well.

So he realized that since the the three wise men were astronomers they would be admiring this phenomenon because this was a major event.

It was when Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon and the Sun were aligned with Aries. Also there was a lunar eclipse with Jupiter, Jupiter is known as the king's star. This event was known as the birth of the Great King, mainly because of Jupiter. The astronomer said since shepherds were tending their flock at night it would have to be in April because that would be lamb season. So he traced all astronomical events that would have happened coinciding with that season and that was it.

Yay finally an actual date instead of a season. So sorry for repeating any info that some people already might have known.

[Reverend Smooth]

History is neat. ^^

[Flamebird]

okay, I didn't see an actual date in all that.

But hey, still fun to speculate.

[Cam63]

Just wait for the party invites to go out.

[Tyr]

Just wait for the party invites to go out.

Why, are you expecting to get one? I thought you had that whole Riddick thing going with god. :p

[Flamebird]

Why, are you expecting to get one? I thought you had that whole Riddick thing going with god. :p

I think it's more like Lobo, actually. :eek:

[Phoney Bone]

That information is wrong.


Everybody knows Jesus was born the same day ice cream was invented.

[Solaris]

I love this kind of thing too, cedar. :)

One time I was watching this show (it was either on Discovery or History Channel; the latter, I think) about the adult life of Jesus. They had all these historians, archaeologists, etc. giving fascinating information on stuff... including the likelihood that Judas was doing what Jesus had *asked* him to, in the whole "betrayal" thing... So, I'm talking it over with a friend of mine who was a former Methodist minister, and he says, "They've known about that stuff for YEARS; we studied it in divinity school."

I was flabbergasted. "Then why don't they tell the congregations about it?" I asked.

If I remember his response correctly, it was basically that they don't want to overload the congregations' minds or weaken their faith... AND, that they believe a lot of the churches would pitch a hissy fit over it, because it's not what they've been taught since the cradle.

Which, in large part, was why he was a *former* minister.

I'm sure there are other reasons out there... but to me, keeping people ignorant is just plain wrong.

[Cam63]

Why, are you expecting to get one? I thought you had that whole Riddick thing going with god. :p

It'd still be nice to be asked...

[Tyr]

It'd still be nice to be asked...

Yeah, but you hate him, so why do you want to go to his birthday party? ;)

[Cam63]

Free beer ?

[Paul McEnery]

Free beer ?

Wine only. Get there late. They save the best stuff for last.

[OzBat!]

Depends who you're asking, there's some debate but at the very least Jesus knew what Judas was up to, and Judas knew that Jesus knew, and so on and so forth...

As for Jesus' birthdate, the star theory has been thrown around for a long time. I give it a fair bit of credence, thanks to the magi connection. The theory I proscribe to is that the magi were of the Babylonian persuation; their order was established by Daniel (of the Lion's Den fame). There's some speculation that not all his prophecies made it into 'the book', and several that didn't were related to the birth of the messiah, hence why this bleedin' big caravan of foreign tourists with expensive gifts turned up asking for a he who was born King of the Jews. Astronomers and mystics, magi, following the signs and knowing what to look for thanks to their prophecies.

Of course its all speculation at this point, I'll never know the true answer, at least not till I get up there and can ask the participants! ;)

[Tyr]

Wine only. Get there late. They save the best stuff for last.

I know, all I wanted was a glass of water, and 2 minutes later it turns into wine, I hate red wine. :(

[cedardryad]

Ok so I didn't notice that I didn't put in the date. April 17th 6BC.

My bad.

[Cam63]

It don't matter... as long as we get a long weekend outta it.

[Paul McEnery]

It don't matter... as long as we get a long weekend outta it.

Exactly! We're getting short-changed. Saturnalia used to be the whole week!

[Cam63]

Hmmm... We have a new government here.

I'll put it foward to 'em.

[Paul McEnery]

Depends who you're asking, there's some debate but at the very least Jesus knew what Judas was up to, and Judas knew that Jesus knew, and so on and so forth...

As for Jesus' birthdate, the star theory has been thrown around for a long time. I give it a fair bit of credence, thanks to the magi connection. The theory I proscribe to is that the magi were of the Babylonian persuation; their order was established by Daniel (of the Lion's Den fame). There's some speculation that not all his prophecies made it into 'the book', and several that didn't were related to the birth of the messiah, hence why this bleedin' big caravan of foreign tourists with expensive gifts turned up asking for a he who was born King of the Jews. Astronomers and mystics, magi, following the signs and knowing what to look for thanks to their prophecies.

Of course its all speculation at this point, I'll never know the true answer, at least not till I get up there and can ask the participants! ;)

When you get there, Jesus is going to be all sheepish, like your new girlfriend, when you go round to meet the parents and they drag out the family stories, and she says "but Daaaaaad, don't exaggerate, it didn't happen like that" and you make the horrible mistake of ingratiating yourself and you're in the doghouse for a week.

[Cam63]

...and don't get him started on the Santa Claus thing.

[Paul McEnery]

And while I'm on the subject:

"Son, I was just telling Lois here how we...."
"Dad! I'm not in high school anymore! You had sex! Just say it. You. Had. Sex."
"Martha, what's this "sex" the boys talking about?"
"Oh, I don't know, Jonathan. Just one of those things the kids like to talk about."
"But Maaaa!"
"Hush now, Clark. He bought the spacerocket story twenty years ago. Let sleeping dogs lie, would you?"

[Lester C.]

It would be cool if he was born on the Assyrian New Year which is on April 1.

[the4thpip]

I love this kind of thing too, cedar. :)

One time I was watching this show (it was either on Discovery or History Channel; the latter, I think) about the adult life of Jesus. They had all these historians, archaeologists, etc. giving fascinating information on stuff... including the likelihood that Judas was doing what Jesus had *asked* him to, in the whole "betrayal" thing... So, I'm talking it over with a friend of mine who was a former Methodist minister, and he says, "They've known about that stuff for YEARS; we studied it in divinity school."

I was flabbergasted. "Then why don't they tell the congregations about it?" I asked.

If I remember his response correctly, it was basically that they don't want to overload the congregations' minds or weaken their faith... AND, that they believe a lot of the churches would pitch a hissy fit over it, because it's not what they've been taught since the cradle.

Which, in large part, was why he was a *former* minister.

I'm sure there are other reasons out there... but to me, keeping people ignorant is just plain wrong.

There's several examples of this. Take the Qumran scrolls that predate Jesus yet describe several of the stories usually associated with him. Looks like some popular folk tails were added on to Jesus's myth.
Also, Judaism wasn't always as monotheistic as is commonly believed. Jahve/Jehova was original the weather god of his pantheon and had a wife and all.