Protestantism

» pink101 - Winter Solstice

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You have made some very important contributions of historical value here, Brian.
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The significance of the birth of Jesus being celebrated at the Winter Solstice seems to go past most of us. Is there any hard evidence as to WHY this time was chosen over any other?
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I remember reading some historical accounts about the fears of astronomers in ancient times that because the days were continuing to shrink to less and less that it would be just a matter of time before the world would be in complete darkness and cold.
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If my recollections are correct it was in a book by Daniel P. Mannix. If you've read any of his work you know he was quite graphic. Anyway, the idea that the priests of ancient Egypt might have claimed it was their prayers and supplications--to the Sun God Ra--that caused him to stop sinking so deeply into the horizon and to do his turn about on the day we celebrate Jesus birthday. The implications of the significance are almost endless.
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-- posted by pink101