There is little evidence that anything about the nativity is true, including this star nonsense.

is exactly what the toon is about, to me. Once we started exploring things with scientific instruments designed to increase the ways we could accurately observe the various attributes of objects in the sky, we took a significant amount of the mystery out of them.

The lack of knowledge before that time allowed all kinds of speculation about the meanings of celestial bodies, and they became infused with our religions.

Of course, a religious person might have a different view of this toon, but that's what I get out of it.

That makes sense to me now. I must be having a lousy Xmas.

Hey, my lady and I were going to go to the movies today, and guess what, the entire parking lot is full, even the handicapped spaces (she has a permit from the county), so we decided to bag it today, and just knock off for the rest of the evening. The movies will be available next week, and Tuesday is senior discount day.

I am grateful for this post. Would not have seen it but for you. Good to be reminded to be humble about our achievements and to remember what we can do is important and good but miniscule in the face of deity.

The mideast desert must be a fantastic star-viewing place. The desert nomads must have been experts with observing star patterns then. Thats probably where astronomy began.