Ordenen Stjernen i Øst og julens budskap

The article is based on a close reading of the Christmas issues of the Norwegian theosophical magazine Stjernebladet/Stjernen in order to examine its approach to Christmas. The magazine was the mouthpiece of the Norwegian branch of the Order of the Star in the East (1910–1929). This fellowship was established within Theosophical Society in order to prepare its members for the imminent appearance of the theosophical messiah, the Indian youth Krishnamurti. He was thought to be a reincarnation of the so-called world teacher, who according to theosophical doctrine had incarnated before in such figures as Buddha and Christ. Our study showed that in Stjernebladet/Stjernen the Christian myth of the birth of Christ was used as an allegory for central ideas in theosophical messianism