Q&A Forum - December 2012

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"We believe so much based on tradition. All religions are guilty of man made traditions passed off as God ordained truth. Christianity is the dominant religion of western civilization. The Christmas story about the three Wisemen is a perfect example of religious tradition. We all see the nativity scenes where the three Wisemen are in the stable presenting the baby Jesus with gifts. Those of the Christian faith were taught this story since childhood and most Christian adults believe it is factual. Yet, the very Bible that is the foundation for the Christian Faith does not substantiate this tradition. When one reads the Bible, one discovers that it never mentions how many Wisemen (or Magi) there actually were and in fact, by the time these Wisemen reached the child, he was two years old and living in a house with his parents."

This is of course a minor detail but since it is Christmas I wonder how many Christians bother to actually read the story of the birth of Christ from the four Gospels. And what does it mean to each of us today? Peace on Earth and goodwill toward humankind! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!