Newspapers / The Franklin Press and … / Dec. 23, 1959, edition 1 / Page 3
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Christmas Questions Unanswered I Editor's Nojf: This reveal in* feature artfite la written by A. F. Jena Hf, manager of the Moretvf d PfauMteriam in Chapel Hill.) There are many unanswered questions about Christinas. Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, but on exactly what day. in what month, or in what 'year He was born is not definitely' known. Other unanswered questions in clude: How many wise men were there? Why did Joseph and Mary remain In Bethlehem several months after the birth of Jesus? How long did the "Star of Beth lehem" hover above? What made Christianity settle upon December 25 as the birthday? Were shep herds In the pasture in mid winter? All this may seem superfluous, at this heart lifting season, but church authorities, historians, and scientist* have pondered for centurle* to obtain the answers. The Gospels give the meaning ful part of the story, but over the years human urge has caused people to reduce the weightier truths to tangible things, such as dates and places In accurate chronological order. One thing scholars definitely agfee upon is that Christ was not born in the year 1 A.D. It was at least four or five years, and may be even seven years earlier. And the wise men were not at the manger scene. They did not appear with their gifts until weeks or months or probably a year later. Too, some of the authorities suggest they were 12 rather than three In number.. ' However, supplementing Gospel accounts and histories written in the beginning years of Christian ity with other ancient recorded data, some historically based con clusions can be drawn. First, it Is evident Jesus was born prior to 4 B. C? since that is the year of the death of Herod the Great, who ordered infants under two years of age be killed to try to eliminate the Christ child. And he learned of the child *1 At this special time we're 'sending your way, warmest wishes for Holiday pleasure and joy. May this be the merriest of Yuletides for you and yours. The Quality Shop Georgia Highway South from the wise men of the East. So. it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus could have been many months, maybe a year old, at that time. If these wise men came from the Persia or Chaldea. that was a trip of at least 1,000 miles. It must have talnu many months. That would suggest Jesus was bom as far back as 5 or 6 B. C. That, too, brings up the "Star of Bethlehem." In that period, ancient astronomers recorded a spectacular light in the night' skies. We now know that could have been the conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 B. C. or the configuration of Jupiter. Saturn, and Mars in 6 B. C. The conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn in 1 B.C., however, Is thought by many early writers to have been the potent sign, seen by both the Jews In Bethle hem and the Magi in the Far East. Nothing else is known to astronomers that might have oc curred and might have been taken by the Magi as a sign. It would have served to send them on their way to discover the meaning of it. The search for the answers has been traditional. Equally as tra ditional are the closing lines the narrators speak in the Morehead Planetarium's annual tribute to Christmas. They are: "Of course, there will always be those of us who will prefer to believe that the 'Star of Beth lehem' was a miracle, given only to the eyes of the wise men to see. "But is it after all important j to know what the 'Star of Bethle hem' was? The important facts are that Jesus was born, that he dwelt on earth for a time with men, and that Hik teachings have altered the history of the world." * A~^C ITEMS Return Cards Out of te 191 burley marketing cards issued to Macon producers, 44 cards have been returned to the county office. All cards have been mailed to producers. Market ing cards should be return ed to the office as soon as sales are completed for the farm and in no case later than 30 days after the local markets close. Failure to return a card will result in the coming year's allotment for the farm being reduced. The cards should be returned in person or they can be mailed to the A.S.C. office. Soil Tests With spring planting just around the corner, farmers wou'.d be wise to take soil samples now and submit them to the laboratory In Raleigh for testing This la the only way to determine the needs of the soil. By not taking a soil sample you stand a chance of over- feeding or under feeding your soil. Information sheets and soil cartons are available free at the A. S. C. office and the person nel will assist you in mailing the soil containers to the Soli Testing Laboratory, State College Station. Raleigh, N. C. Reports Needed In checking out the 1959 ACP records, A.S.C. finds that several farmers in Macon need to make a report on the use of the material they received through the A.S.C. office. This is called a perform ance report. All material should be used and reported to the officc by December 31. 1959. This re port can be made by visiting the Office and signing the necessary form or farmers may sign and mail the pink form that was given them with purchase orders. The Soil Conservation Service reports that about 93.000 Tar Heel farmers are cooperating with soil conservation districts in pro tecting and improving their lands and in managing water on their farms. im Hms a holiday tradition we really cherish . . . time out to tell you how much your loyal friendship and patronage mean to us and to wish you and your family a very healthy, happy and cheerful festive season I THE FRANKLIN 5 & 1CK STORE ? Away we go, full speed ahead ! Wc just couian ; . wait another minute to tell you how deeply wc appreciate your loyal friendship and patronage and to extend to you and your family our very warmest wishes for a holiday season bright with all the great blessings life has to ofTcr ! Nantahala Creamery Franklin, N. C. i "...and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising <3od and saying, Glory to Cod in the highest ... on earth 'Peace, Good lOill toward (Den . . ." Let us rejoice, {or once again Christmas brings us the guiding faith of Peace and Good Will to All, and the high inspiration of His holy message. To our many good friends, we send heartfelt greetings, -with the wish that all may enjoy a most blessed Christmas, in the company of family and friends . . . singing the old familiar carols . . . hear ing again the well-loved, spirit-lifting words of the Christmas story. Zickgraf Hardwood Company Nantahala Lumber Company Franklin Machine Shop
The Franklin Press and the Highlands Maconian (Franklin, N.C.)
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Dec. 23, 1959, edition 1
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