The Star of the Magi Leonardo 
few lines are devoted to the visit of the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew.
But no name is absolutely indicated. Popular tradition says that three Magi were named Melchior, Balthazar and Gaspar.
The same tradition always said they came from the East guided by a star that led them from Persia to Bethlehem where they found the child Jesus on his birthplace. This star
have there been? Thanks to our astronomical knowledge and computation, can now reconstruct the state of heaven two thousand years ago.
To have the heart net, astronomers have studied the issue. First it was necessary to clarify date of birth, not the year 0. Indeed, Herod died in the year 4 BC. So Christ was born between -6 and -4. When December 25, the date was decided by Pope Liberius in 354, and superimposed on the pagan festival of light, 25 December.
It was then investigate the possibility of a major astronomical event. Matthew's text specifies that only the wise men saw. We can therefore eliminate a comet or a supernova that was seen by all populations.
Astronomers went searching among the planetary configurations. And configuration in particular proves the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn two planets very bright. This combination lasted nearly a year . It took place in the constellation of Pisces, with a retrograde movement of a few weeks strengthening the significance of the phenomenon for astronomers of the time.
Then, the star of the Magi Was this planetary conjunction? This is one of the best estimate.
It is another: There is also the star Spica (in Arabic called Al Zimach or Tsemech in Hebrew, meaning " the branch of David ") is the star in Year 2 av.-J.-C., rises exactly is the day of the vernal equinox. This phenomenon, due to the precession of the polar axis around an imaginary axis every 25,900 years, was already known to astronomers of the Middle East . The star would thus have guided the Magi to the birthplace of Jesus. They give gifts to Christ
"They entered the house, found the child with Mary his mother, and prostrating themselves, they worshiped him and then opened their treasures, they offered him gifts: from gold, frankincense and myrrh. "(Matthew , II: 11)
But what ultimately whether we are believers or not, the symbolism of the coming of the Magi can be seen by everyone. Witness this tale inspired a Danish author Johannes Joergensen which he imagines a fourth Wise Man arrived too late, after visiting his three companions. I
the book following:
The sages of the East brought gold, frankincense and myrrh pure. An old legend says that when they laid their treasures, the child would not smile. Mary was very honored with incense, burning as it had been burned in the temple of Jerusalem, and with eyes full of tears, she hid in her bosom myrrh. But the child did not little hands held out to the bright gold and the smoke was coughing his little lungs, and he turned from the myrrh and kissed the tears in the eyes of his mother.
Three Magi got up and took leave with the feeling of people who were not assessed on their merits. But when the head and neck of their camel had disappeared behind the mountains, when the last stroke of their harness had expired on the road to Jerusalem, while the fourth appeared king. He brought three precious pearls from Persia. But he arrived too late and the other kings were gone. It came too late ... and empty-handed ... he had more beads!
He slowly opened the doors of the barn where there were the holy child, his mother and his foster father. The day fell, the barn became dark and a slight smell of incense still floated back ... Joseph straw of the crib for the night, the Infant Jesus on her knees. She rocked her gently.
Slowly, hesitantly, the king of Persia walked and then he threw himself at the feet of the child and his mother. Slowly hesitating, he began to speak. "Lord," he said, I had a gift for you, three precious pearls, big as a pigeon's egg, three real gems of Arabian Sea. I did more.
I came to share the other three kings. They walked on their camels in front of me and I stayed behind in an inn on the roadside. ... I was wrong When I entered the room of travelers, I noticed an old man shaking with fever, lying on the bed of the stove. Nobody knew who he was. His purse was empty and he had no money to pay the doctor and the care he needed. Lord, forgive me, I took a pearl from my belt and gave it to the innkeeper, he Procuratorate for medical advice and should secure the care and, if he died, a blessed land falls.
The next day I left. I pushed my horse as much as possible to join the other three kings. Suddenly I heard screams from a thicket. I sprang from my horse and found the soldiers who had seized a young woman and about to force it. They were too many, I could not think of me fighting with them. Oh! Lord forgive me again, I put my hand on the belt, took my pearl and bought second issue. Now I just needed more than a pearl, but at least I wanted to bring you, Lord!
It was past noon. Before evening I might be in Bethlehem at your feet. Then I saw a small town that Herod's soldiers had fired. I went and found the soldiers of Herod killing all the boys two years and below. Near a house on fire, a great soldier swinging a small child he was holding a naked leg. The child screamed and struggled. The soldier said: "Now I let go and it will fall into the fire. It will make a good roast pig." The mother shrieked. Lord, forgive me! I took my last pearl and gave it to soldier that he should restore the child to its mother. Lord, so here I am empty handed. Forgive me, forgive. "
Silence reigned in the barn when the king had finished his confession. For a moment he stood with his forehead pressed against the ground and finally he dared look up. Joseph had finished returning the straw and had approached. Mary watched her son who was against his breast. he slept? No. L'Enfant-Jesus was not asleep. Slowly, he turned to the king of Persia. His face shone, he stretched his little hands around empty-handed . And the Child Jesus smiled.
your lucky stars That guides you in 2011
