STAR IN THE SKY
On 21 December, Jupiter and Saturn will come so close together that to the human eye they’ll appear as though they’re overlapping. It is the first time in 800 years that we’ll be able to see this “double planet” effect. It’s known as “the great conjunction” and, according to NASA, happens every 20 years. According to Eternity News, Johannes Kepler, a 17th century German astronomer who created the laws of planetary motion, put forward the theory that a triple conjunction, where planets align three times in close succession, was the cause of the Star of Bethlehem. This year’s conjunction won’t appear multiple times. But its single appearance will look similar to what Kepler imagined the Magi followed in the Christmas night sky.
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
A US church is to build a tiny house village to provide shelter for homeless women. The project involves the construction of 20 tiny houses and a common building. Christian Headlines reports the tiny house village will be located on property owned by the Baptist church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Church minister Steve Wise says the tiny houses are not designed for cooking and eating. ‘We want mealtimes to be a community time’, he says. ‘God cares about our homeless friends. We think God will do something amazing here’.
CHRIST IS STILL IN CHRISTMAS
After it was announced that several concerts in Perth’s Forrest Place would replace the Nativity Event, 1,200 letters and emails sent to the City officials had an impact. The Australian Christian Lobby reports it was eventually decided the program will respectfully acknowledge the Christian aspect of Christmas. Churches, community groups and schools have been invited to lodge expressions of interest to contribute items for the five Sunday evening concerts leading up to Christmas. Thanks to the activism of Christians, Christ is being kept in Christmas in Perth.