Today was dull overcast day but I couldn’t resist going back to Leegomery Pools to look for the goslings I mentioned in my previous post.

The dull overcast day meant that the pathways were quiet. I saw few people and was able to linger and enjoy the cute goslings who were leading their parents around the pool.

As I was photographing the goslings, Mr Heron flew overhead and settled at the opposite end of the pool before flying overhead again and choosing a different perch. By the time I resumed my walk he had hidden himself from view. Near to where I saw him in close proximity a few days ago a Greylag Goose was standing on one leg!

PS: My photos are not the best quality but I hope  you enjoy what I saw on my walk

One starry night, so bright,
The world was filled with love.
A wonderful sight, the light,
That shined from up above
The angels proclaimed His Holy Name,
King of Kings.

This is the story, the power and the glory
Three wise men knelt to pray,
A guiding star had led the way
There He lay, born on Christmas Day.

Joy did He bring, the King, let every song rejoice
And every heart did sing, hear it ring
The sound of heaven’s voice
The angels proclaimed His Holy Name,
King of Kings.

This is the story, the power and the glory
Three wise men knelt to pray,
A guiding star had led the way
There He lay, born on Christmas Day.

He filled our world with His love oh oh
A heavenly voice sang from above

This is the story, of the power and the glory
Three wise men came to pray, as He laid, oh
Christ was born, born on Christmas Day. oh oh
The Lord is born on Christmas Day

Kristin Chenoweth

Synopsis (From inside the book cover):

Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the “wise men from the East” as pious legend. Matthew’s gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche.

For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously.
But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy?

In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod.

In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world.

The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment―confirmed by computer models―that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king.

The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.

Review:

In his well researched book Dwight Longenecker presents us with a new theory of the origins of the wise men that visited Jesus shortly after his birth. He strips away the legends and myths that over time have added to and embellished the accounts as they are told in the Biblical Scriptures. He explores Matthew’s account of the birth and sets the birth in its historical context which provides clues as to where the wise men might have travelled from. In his book he presents his evidence in a way that is accessible to all. A recommended read for anyone who is interested in the subject.

In addition to the book index there is an extensive bibliography allowing for readers to explore the themes further.

The Bible Gateway shares an informative graphic of the Christmas Story timeline. The chart shows the people and events of the Christmas story.

This visualization traces the Christmas story as told in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, showing you who is with whom throughout the story. Verse references are provided so you can look up each event in the Bible for details.

Each line represents a person, and the narrative unfolds as you follow from left to right. When character lines meet up and run alongside each other, those characters were together during that event. It starts with the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah and ends with the return to Nazareth of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Luke 2:6-21 (KJV)

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:4

I have just come inside from watching the stars and planets twinkling and rotating above my garden. The heavenly bodies were accompanied by a bat flitting about catching insects in the twilight. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

It was Mr C’s birthday and we spent the day at Chester Zoo. The weather was perfect (glorious sunshine) which meant that some of the animals were more sensible that us humans, they were hiding in the shady parts of their domain. One of the animals that I was privileged to see was a newly born Zebra foal. I had no idea it was so young and wondered why there was a camera crew in front of the enclosure as we wandered past. Then Mr C overheard a comment about the lovely young Zebra being one day old.

After our day out we considered stopping off for dinner on the way home but dismissed that thought and decided ‘fine dining’ on the patio would be a more enjoyable option. It led to planets, stars and the occasional bat

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William Blake

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:4