DECEMBER 25TH, 2372

This region of space was known to many, though it really had no name. The Vulcans who observed Earth before first contact scanned it, intrigued by the prevalence of a certain Terran religious legend. Believers had scanned it, when Humans first moved out into space. So it was as well for disbelievers. An Andorian sect that sought proof of any and all religious legends did an impossibly thorough scan. No one found a thing, and this stunned even the most hard-core of atheists, for something was always found, and misinterpreted, to their minds. To find nothing almost seemed more unnerving than finding proof positive.

But within the galactic time-frame involved, this area of space had seen no supernovae, no large comets, no planetary collisions--nada. Despite its position relative to Earth, no surge of light came from the area of space that would have been in the correct light-year trajectory to explain the phenomenon known as The Star Of Bethlehem.

Yet still they searched. All sects of Christians. Jewish scholars, seeking possible hints of Immanuel's true coming. Muslim scholars, seeking to know the last prophet to walk the Earth before Mohammed's birth. Others joined in, for reasons, high, low--and intellectual.

Now, a life forged of man was among them.

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Jim stared at the drinks in Hawkeye's hands.

"Why do you even bother? With your metabolism--you can't possibly get drunk."

Doctor Pierce shrugged.

"What can I say, Captain? I like the taste. I like the taste of this one. I like the taste of that one...and that one...."

While one of his CMO's used his Eugenics-enhanced body to not drink himself into a stupor, Jim saw the other driving herself crazy on the Christmas tree trimmings.

"Margaret--the tree looks fine. Let it go."

 Doctor Houlihan turned and glared.

"SEZ YOU---sir. Jim, maybe you can't see how crooked this thing is, and how poorly the decorations are distributed, and how the lights are barely noticeable--but I can! This tree is going to be done correctly--end of story. This isn't Korea, 1950. This is the time when technology has triumphed--and a lousy Christmas tree can be done right!"

The Counselor and The XO were having no better luck.

"Will, your little sister is a spoiled brat! I spent days picking out her gift."

"Don't go picking on Donna. She's not even seven, yet. Now, your mother is impossible to buy for. She calls up, in a huff, asks me 'what was I thinking', and disconnects!"

Jim covered his ears.

"Would someone please remember the true meaning of this celebration?"

Data walked in.

"Captain. Everyone. I believe that I have made an intriguing discovery."

Since it beat drinking, kvetching, and arguing, everyone present sat down. The android began.

"I believe that I have discovered the origins of the astral phenomenon known as the Star Of Bethlehem."

"C'mon, Data...."

"Even the Padre said it was apocryphal..."

"Data, while I'm glad you're exploring this aspect of yourself..."

"Data, people have been searching far and wide for cent..."

Jim silenced them by raising an open hand.

"You go right ahead, Data."

"Thank You, Captain Kirk. Faster-than light travel involves the use of tachyons, as we all know. Also known is how they decay, actually traveling backwards in time as they go. Therefore, I have calculated the path of all tachyons used in FTL travel since this region became a traffic lane for warp-driven ships. Observe."

The display showed the tachyons all flowing backward, and yet still towards Earth. Their varying rates of decay were factored in, as was their innate attraction to one another. Data pointed at a convergence.

"The Year Four Before Common Era would seem to be a major locus of this activity. If anything were to affect this convergence in almost any way, it would cause a large and visible effect, seen best in certain portions of the Earth, at this time. In effect, the very individuals that have searched for the *star* may in fact have brought it into existence. I have not yet chosen how to classify this possibility."

A flabergasted Hawkeye Pierce felt all and none of his 400 years simultaneously.

"Father Mulcahy would have called it faith, Data."

Margaret Houlihan had tears in her eyes as she hugged and kissed the android.

"Wanna help me trim the tree, Commander?"

"Indeed, Doctor. It would be a welcome respite from my previous endeavors."

As they did just that, Deanna shook her head.

"There are times I swear that the chip hasn't changed him at all. Then he does something like this."

Riker was still amazed at the simple possibility the display before him raised.

"Jean-Luc said of Data 'Believe in that man, Number One. He will yet continue to amaze us all.' And he always manages to do just that."

Jim felt an old twinge, watching a dear friend discovering the other half of his existence. He looked at Pierce.

"What do you make of this, Doctor?"

Pierce shrugged.

"I think, that, of all the Data Soongs in the universe...he's the Charlie Browniest."