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Greetings:<br><br>
If the Wise Men (<i>magoi</i>) were from Persia, which is where the
Zoroastrian magicians did in fact hang out, and if they were following a
start in the East, then they would not have witnessed the birth of Christ
but more probably the birth of Krishna, whose home does lie in India,
east of Persia. Yes, Pat Kraut, they did have directions, but not
to Bethlehem.<br><br>
But they would not have found Jesus in Bethlehem either, because a Roman
census would have required all the people stay at home and be counted
there. Jesus' home was Nazareth and that is where Joseph would have
been assessed for the census. Some apologists have suggested that
Joseph owned property in Bethlehem, but seems most unlikely because
Joseph was a poor man. Besides he certainly would not have taken
Mary on the trip: her OBGYN would have strenously objected! Donkey
rides are sure recipes for miscarriage.<br><br>
For more details about problems with the Christmas Story see
<a href="http://www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/census.htm" eudora="autourl">www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/census.htm</a>.<br><br>
Happy Holidays,<br><br>
Nick Gier<br>
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