Thousands flocked to the mountains, museums, and mesas to see the amazing natural event. Throughout history an eclipse has been an event that brings both fascination and fear. The Ancients interpreted eclipses as omens and signs.
I couldn’t help but reflect that this incident was a masterwork of divine origin: God’s artwork displayed.
I, like millions of other people--particularly in New Mexico-- had an amazing opportunity to see the Eclipse of 2012.
As it turned out, Albuquerque, New Mexico was in the direct path for observation of a total eclipse. We weren't disappointed. Literally thousands flocked to the mountains, museums, and mesas to see the amazing natural event.
Throughout history an eclipse has been an event of astronomical fascination--and even fear. At times the Ancients interpreted eclipses as omens and signs.
Even the Bible gives record of events that describe eclipse-type occurrences, connecting it to looming danger or judgment (Amos 8:9).
Many scholars even connect the crucifixion of Jesus to an eclipse-type event.
According to one online site, scientists, Colin Humphreys and W. G. Waddington of Oxford University, "reconstructed the Jewish calendar in the first century AD and arrived at the conclusion that Friday, April 3, 33AD was the date of the Crucifixion. Humphreys and Waddington went further and also reconstructed the scenario for a lunar eclipse on that day."
In their article, "Dating the Crucifixion," (Nature 306, December 22/29, 1983, pp. 743-46), they conclude, "This eclipse was visible from Jerusalem at moonrise... The start of the eclipse was invisible from Jerusalem, being below the horizon. The eclipse began at 3:40 pm and reached a maximum at 5:15 pm, with 60% of the moon eclipsed. This was also below the horizon from Jerusalem. The moon rose above the horizon, and was first visible from Jerusalem at about 6:20 pm (the start of the Jewish Sabbath and also the start of Passover day in 33 AD) with about 20% of its disc in the umbra of the earth's shadow and the remainder in the penumbra. The eclipse finished some thirty minutes later at 6:50 pm."
Fascinating. True, a very "naturalistic" perpsective of the event, but still intriguing in that it does correspond to the traditional timeframe attributed to Christ's death and resurrection.
For my part, I used the Eclipse of 2012 as an opportunity to reflect on Christ's death and resurrection and thank God for His marvelous creation.
After trying to get into the Abluquerque Balloon Museum Park with my family (where the line was over a mile long--and a two hour entrance wait), we decided to separate: my kids heading to the Bear Canyon in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, and my wife, Melanie, and I heading towards Petropglyps National Monument (ancient art carved on volcanic rock) on Albuquerque's West Mesa.
For fun, I brought along a Native American flute made by Marvin Toya; Melanie brought her camera. Together, we walked up the hill toward Boca Negra Canyon.
As the eclipse began around 6:28, I started to play the flute, using it as a means of prayer. I created notes mimicking the syllable nuances of the Lord's Prayer.
Folks next to us were using the opportunity as a photographic session, taking pictures in differing clothes. They were kind enough to give us protective sheets of tint so we could view the whole eclipse without burning a hole in our retina.
All around the Mesa cars stopped to view the marvelous experience. People made observation apparatus out of cardboard and tubes; other folks had telescopes and fancy pinhole cameras.
Overall, the encounter was a grand affair, bringing people together for a God-given light show. So cool, I thought.
Earlier in the day, I attended a lecture by prominent New Mexico art historian, Dr. Joseph Traugott. Traugott spoke on "New Mexico Art Through Time", the title of his newest book and exhibition at the New Mexico Museum of Art and History.
As Traugott made connections between art and nature, I couldn't help but reflect later in the day during the Eclipse of 2012 that this incident was a master-work of divine origin: God's artwork displayed through nature for the world to sit in awe.
And sat in awe I did.
© 2012 ASSIST News Service. Used with permission.
Brian Nixon is a writer, musician, minister, and family man. You may contact him at http://www.briannixon.com
