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| Photo taken by Neil Armstrong of "Buzz" Aldrin, July 20, 1969: Apollo 11 mission |
This year, the kids and I have been studying astronomy in our homeschool science course. We have also been studying U.S. history. Imagine our delight when these two courses merged as we studied the landing of U.S. astronauts on the moon--science AND history! In fact, the lunar landing performed by Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on July 20th, 1969, aboard the Eagle was one of the most televised, and undoubtedly, the most historic event of the 20th century. And yet in some ways, many of us know so little about it!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this paperback book of late (one that I have dutifully packed and unpacked in the course of five moves in my marriage and have never, up until this point, actually read!). In its 500+ pages it recounts in vivid detail the Apollo astronauts and all the amazing missions--successes and failures--that these American heroes performed.
Most people alive in July of 1969 can remember where they were, or what they were doing, when the Apollo 11 mission was launched and history was made as the first astronauts landed on the moon. Anyone who had access to a television sat transfixed as live coverage was relayed in grainy black-and-white picture from the Eagle Lunar Module. And who can forget those timeless words from Neil Armstrong that we've all been taught: "That's one small step for man....one giant leap for mankind"?
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| Neil Armstrong's boot print upon the lunar surface July 20, 1969 |
However, what most of the world may NOT know is how many astronauts can recount having spiritual experiences in association with their voyage out into space. Jim Irwin of Apollo 15 went on to found a ministry after his space career--in fact, he became nicknamed the "moon missionary." Frank Borman, Commander of the 1968 Apollo 8 mission, relates that having been out in space there was absolutely no doubt in his mind about the existence of a Creator. In fact, all three astronauts aboard that mission read aloud the first chapter of Genesis on live television:
"We are now approaching lunar sunrise," relayed astronaut Jim Lovell. "And for all the people back on earth, the crew of Apollo 8 has a message we would like to send to you." Astronaut Bill Anders held the flight plan in front of him and began to read:
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth; and the earth was without form and void, and the darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good.
And God divided the light from the darkness."
Next Jim Lovell took a turn:
"And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day..."
Frank Borman closed the reading:
"...And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called He Seas. And God saw that it was good.
And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with, good night, good luck, and Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you, all of you on the good earth."
I asked my dad if he remembered that reading of Genesis chapter one which was televised from Apollo 8; he did, and he recalled it being quite controversial.
But by far my favorite, also little known bit of history found within the worn pages of this paperback book, was how astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin commemorated his historic landing upon the lunar surface in the Apollo 11 mission. In fact, this makes Neil Armstrong's words just chunk change in my mind! Forget man's words! What about God's words, the words of John 15:5 which Buzz Aldrin meditated upon as he took communion after the Eagle had landed!?
Author Andrew Chaikin retells it like this:
"In the weeks before launch, [Buzz Aldrin] had searched for some gesture that would be worthy of the moment [landing on the moon], and he had decided to celebrate Communion. Deke Slayton had warned him against broadcasting any religious observance over the air; NASA was still coping with a controversy stirred by the Genesis reading on Apollo 8. Aldrin's Communion would have to be a secret one. Now that it was clear that he and Armstrong were on the moon to stay for awhile, Aldrin took advantage of a quiet moment. He opened the stowage pouch that contained his personal mementos and removed a plastic bag containing a small flask of wine, a chalice and some wafers....Released in the gentle gravity the wine poured slowly and curled gracefully against the side of the cup. Aldrin read silently from a small card on which he had printed words from the book of John:
I am the vine and you are the branches
Whoever remains in me and I in him with bear much fruit;
For you can do nothing without me." [John 15:5]
Wow.
I am stunned, amazed, and proud of Aldrin's display of faith, giving credit for the lunar landing to Whom credit is due. And yet I struggle with this fact: why do we not learn THIS stuff from our history teachers and professors?? Well, my children, and now hopefully yours, will be enlightened by this wonderful display of faith upon the moon! It serves as such an encouragement to my faith, and I hope, to you and yours!
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| Lunar Module; Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum |
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