Star of Bethlehem

By Joyce Godwin, Herald Democrat

Just in time for Christmas — finally, a clear and reasonable explanation for the mysterious behavior of the Star of Bethlehem found in the Bible. Was it a star or was it a comet? Varying opinions and research have been presented over the years but it looks like Rick Larson, a University of A&M law professor, has found the answer to this unlikely astronomical event and so much more.

This documentary is a must see for any who’ve ever wondered. It sorts truth from myth and legend and should be compelling to all regardless of religious persuasion. Now available on DVD to share with everyone, the presentation was released Oct. 23 by Mpower Pictures and Genius Products bearing the name of Producer Stephen McEveety from “the Passion of the Christ.”

The law professor found himself wondering about the truth of the star’s story presented in the books of the Bible after constructing wisemen yard art in front of his home for a Christmas season. He decided to research the issue and prove it’s existence scientifically without making any assumptions. What he found was new meaning for “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge,” Psalm 19:1-2.

Larson draws a plain picture showing how the story of Jesus, including his crucifixion, is foretold in the stars. He leads his audience through his steps of research and explains clearly the basis for his conclusions.

He also explains why such a remarkable event has never appeared in the history books. It’s only in current times the software has been available to be able to track the planets and celestial occurrences with precision. He explains in his presentation that, through current computer software, he can go to any hour of any day in history and look at the positions of the stars and planets.

Larson says, “First, we didn’t know what the ancient skies looked like until the 1600s when we learned the actual math that drives the planets from (Johannes) Kepler (1571-1630) to predict where the celestial bodies will be.”

In the final wrap up of his evidence Larson explains “God wrote the events in the sky way before any of them occurred.” He said when people see a mysterious sign, they draw near to see what it’s all about. “The Maggi saw the sign in the sky and rode to Jerusalem. Moses saw the burning bush and drew near,” Larson said. “Our Messiah was announced in the sky. From the moment God flung the universe into existence, He knew when Messiah would enter earth as a man and when he would expire on the cross.”

All this comes in a beautiful visual presentation with wonderful sound.
The video, titled “Star of Bethlehem,” can be purchased on line at www.BethlehemStarMovie.com and www.amazon.com. Also, Hastings has it on the shelf for rent.

More information about the presentation, its development and author may be seen at www.bethlehemstar.net.

Airline pilots out at 60

Last week, when Billy's long-time friend Chuck Corder retired from Southwest Airlines, we got to see first hand what happens when an airline pilot retires. Chuck and his wife Cheryl have been my husband’s close friends since they lived next to one another in south Plano almost 30 years ago. They became my friends when we married.

We were excited when Billy got the call from Cheryl that we were invited to participate in the festivities. It meant we would join 17 of Chuck and Cheryl's family and friends as passengers on Chuck's final, Southwest Airlines flight as Captain. We had no idea what to expect but it was an experience we’ll never forget.

Federal aviation regulations mandate an airline pilot’s retirement at age 60. Since Chuck’s birthday was Tuesday, Dec. 4, Monday was the last day he could legally fly as pilot for a common airline carrier, although he can still fly for private charter companies.

We met Chuck in the waiting area at Love Field for gate No. 7 about 90 minutes before our scheduled flight to Amarillo. Chuck was in his dark blue pilot’s uniform set off with captain’s bars. It was clear that Chuck was the star for the day by the way so many people stopped to shake his hand.

Finally it was time to board, and for the first time in our lives, we got to pre-board. The attendant at the microphone asked for the crowd’s indulgence as the pilot’s family went in to take their seats. It was explained that this would be a special flight because their pilot would be taking his final flight before retiring.

Our group took seats closest to the pilot’s cabin. We wanted our pilot to hear us cheering which we did on take offs, landings and every time we heard his voice on the intercom. The flight itself was fairly uneventful. It was a beautiful day for flying.

When we left the Amarillo terminal, turning back to the runway to head to Dallas, the airport fire engines formed a water arch over our plane to honor our retiring pilot. The same thing happened in Dallas as our plane taxied from the runway to the terminal.

It was great fun watching Chuck get the rock-star treatment from Southwest Airlines and there was more in store. When passengers deplaned, our group waited to go last and then we lined the corridor just outside the aircraft door joining Southwest personnel and others who knew Chuck who were already there. When Chuck finally emerged, there was applause all around. Everyone wanted to shake his hand and let him know how special he is.

The forced retirement of our country’s pilots is a hot issue today. During a time the demand for airline pilots is not being met, the sense in forcing experience out of the workplace when they don’t want to go seems like a waste and the consumer will likely pay, at least through inconveniences.

In January, after a fight that’s lasted more than 40 years, the Federal Aviation Administration said it will propose to raise the mandatory retirement age for U.S. commercial pilots from 60 to 65. It was considered a huge victory for pilots.

“Speaking before pilots and aviation experts at the National Press Club, FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey said that the agency plans to propose adopting the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard that allows one pilot to be up to age 65 provided the other pilot is under age 60. The international standard became effective last year.” reported Seniorjournal.com.

But, so far, there’s not been much progress on the battle to make the change and pilot’s, like Chuck Corder, are being forced out. Also, airlines and their consumers are loosing veteran pilots with years of experience. The growing shortage of pilots is placing pressure on airlines as baby boomer pilots are forced out while fewer young people are coming in.

With salaries and benefits in decline for airline pilots and U.S. carriers also strugggle againt strong competition for young recruits from the military and from overseas airlines. It seems inequitable that the international rules allow pilots, age 60 to 65, to fly into U.S. airports as long as one on the pilots is younger than 60 but U.S. pilots are not allowed the same privilege.

Airline Pilots Against Age Discrimination have led the charge from a grassroots level to see change in a rule that’s been in place for 47 years. Paul D. Emens, chairman and founder of APAAD says the rule was the result of a labor dispute and it’s long past time for the rule to be revised. Forty-seven years ago was the beginning of the jet age and much has changed since that time.

Attempts were made in 2006 to make changes in the age 60 rule through legislation but it never came to a vote. In 2007, new legislation (S.65) has already been created with Senators Inhofe (R), Lieberman (D), Stevens (R) and Feingold (D) as the lead sponsors.