What does the Bible say about Star of Bethlehem?
What Was the Star of Bethlehem? The Gospel of Matthew states that the star informed the magi of the birth of the King of the Jews and actually led them to Bethlehem once they had arrived in Jerusalem. The star of Bethlehem has been the subject of scholarly discussion ever since the first centuries after Jesus' birth.
Is the star of Bethlehem making a comeback?
No I guess not. Its all just speculation at this point since there's no way of proving how the actual Star Of Bethlehem came to be. If it is the Star Of Bethlehem though, I'd imagine something is coming.
Is the Bethlehem Star still visible?
What has become known as the “Christmas Star” or “Star of Bethlehem” – actually an especially bright planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn – will be visible in the night sky on Dec. 21, according to NASA scientists. How often is the star of Bethlehem visible? The phenomenon can be seen one hour after sunset. The astronomer Patrick Hartigan says that the event will be repeated until March 15, 2080 and then it will not happen again until after 2,400, so it would be worth ...
What was the Christmas Star of Bethlehem from the Bible?
- a conjunction of planets (two planets coming close together in the sky)
- a conjunction of a planet with a bright star
- an “occultation” in which the Moon passes in front of a planet
- a comet
- a supernova
Was there a Star when Jesus was born?
The story of the Star of Bethlehem appears only in the Book of Matthew. The gospel tells us that a bright star appeared in the eastern sky when Jesus was born, famously seen by a group of wise men. These biblical "Magi," sometimes called kings, now adorn nativity scenes around the world.
When can you see the Star of Bethlehem 2021?
As 2020 came to a close, the solar system decided to grace us with a cosmic Christmas miracle that hadn't been witnessed in nearly 800 years, often referred to as the "Star of Bethlehem" or the "Christmas Star." Unfortunately, we won't see it again in 2021, but on Dec.
How long was the Bethlehem Star visible?
Although the cosmic “Christmas Star” or “Star of Bethlehem” was visible for people to see for the first time in 800 years last year in 2020, we will not be able to see it this year. The spectacularly rare shining 'star' -- really a conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter -- will not appear again until March 15, 2080.
Where is the Star of Bethlehem on December 21?
SOUTHWEST SKYIT WILL APPEAR THAT JUPITER OVERTAKES SATURN YOU WANT TO LOOK TO THE SOUTHWEST SKY ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER SUNSET AND THIS IS SPECIFICALLY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK FOR THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY. THIS IS IN THE SOUTHWEST SKY PRETTY LOW TO THE HORIZON.
Where is the Star of Bethlehem located in the sky?
1:124:05How to see the star of Bethlehem - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can often see the moons around jupiter. So you'll see a string of small lights on other side ofMoreYou can often see the moons around jupiter. So you'll see a string of small lights on other side of jupiter.
Does the star of Bethlehem still exist?
The Star of Bethlehem wasn't a comet or a supernova We can also rule out novas and supernovas. Either event would have resulted in a detectable remnant, but astronomers have not found anything that might date back to this time.
What Month Was Jesus Born in the Bible?
University of Cambridge Professor Colin Humphreys has argued in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society that a comet in the early 5 BCE was likely the "Star of Bethlehem", putting Jesus' birth in or near April, 5 BC.
Was the star of Bethlehem moving?
Since Bethlehem is to the south of Jerusalem the clear implication is that the star of Bethlehem moved slowly through the sky from the east to the south in the time taken for the Magi to travel from their country to Jerusalem, probably about one or two months (see later). (~) The star `stood over' Bethlehem.
Will you need a telescope to see the Star of Bethlehem?
This month we're treated to a sight in the sky that hasn't been seen literally for centuries, and which may hold the clue to that most enduring of astronomical mysteries, the Star of Bethlehem. Even better, you don't need a telescope to view this event.
Where can I see the Christmas Star?
southwest skyThe only time to see the “Christmas Star” effect is about an hour after sunset. Look towards the southwest sky with an unobstructed view about 15 degrees from the horizon. Gering said as long as you look towards the southwest direction, they'll be so bright you can't miss it.
What does the Star of Jehovah's Witnesses mean?
Members of Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the "star" was a vision or sign created by Satan, rather than a sign from God. This is because it led the pagan astrologers first to Jerusalem where King Herod consequently found out about the birth of the "king of the Jews", with the result that he attempted to have Jesus killed.
What does the LDS believe about the Star of Bethlehem?
In the 1830 Book of Mormon, which they believe contains writings of ancient prophets, Samuel the Lamanite prophesies that a new star will appear as a sign that Jesus has been born , and Nephi later writes about the fulfillment of this prophecy.
What is the apparent disparity in the Gospel of Luke?
Some scholars explain the apparent disparity as an error on the part of the author of the Gospel of Luke, concluding that he was more concerned with creating a symbolic narrative than a historical account, and was either unaware of, or indifferent to, the chronological difficulty.
What did ancient writers say about comets?
Ancient writers described comets as "hanging over" specific cities, just as the Star of Bethlehem was said to have "stood over" the "place" where Jesus was (the town of Bethlehem). However, this is generally thought unlikely as in ancient times comets were generally seen as bad omens.
What is the significance of the double occultation on April 17th?
Double occultation on Saturday (Sabbath) April 17, 6 BC. Astronomer Michael R. Molnar argues that the "star in the east" refers to an astronomical event with astrological significance in the context of ancient Greek astrology.
What year did Jupiter and Saturn come together?
In 1614, German astronomer Johannes Kepler determined that a series of three conjunctions of the planets Jupiter and Saturn occurred in the year 7 BC. He argued (incorrectly) that a planetary conjunction could create a nova, which he linked to the Star of Bethlehem.
What are the gifts of Isaiah?
Isaiah mentions gifts of gold and incense. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament probably used by Matthew, these gifts are given as gold and frankincense, similar to Matthew's "gold, frankincense, and myrrh.". The gift of myrrh symbolizes mortality, according to Origen.
Why did Herod send the three wise men to Bethlehem?
And thanks to Micah's prophesy that the messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Herod sends the trio to Bethlehem to search for Jesus. (Supposedly, Herod also ultimately kills the infants of Bethlehem in an attempt to snuff out Jesus.)
When did Jupiter pass Saturn?
On May 29, Jupiter passed Saturn (both moving right to left) for the first time. Jupiter passed Saturn again September 30 with both moving to the right (west). Finally, the planets resumed eastward motion, and Jupiter passed Saturn for the third time December 5. Astronomy /Roen Kelly.
How far apart would Jupiter and Venus be in the sky?
On the morning of August 12 in 3 B.C., Jupiter and Venus would’ve sat just 1/10th a degree apart in the dawn sky. That’s one-fifth the diameter of the Full Moon. (The December 2020 conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn will have an identical separation, albeit in the evening sky.)
What did the Magi bring to the Star of Bethlehem?
But, of course, not everyone agrees with the idea. The three wise men, or Magi, arrived after Jesus' birth carrying gold, frankincense and myrrh, as captured in this Byzantine mosaic created in 565 A.D. Wikimedia Commons.
What did the three wise men see in the new star?
The Bible describes how these three wise men saw the new star as a sign of the birth of the King of the Jews, so they set out for Jerusalem to worship him. Once they arrive, they inquire about baby Jesus with Herod, the region’s ruler appointed by Rome.
When will Jupiter and Saturn come together?
On December 21, Jupiter and Saturn will come together in a “ Great Conjunction ” unlike any seen in nearly 800 years. The two planets will appear so close together in Earth’s night sky on winter ...
What is retrograde motion?
They can also appear to hold still or move backward in the sky , which astronomers call retrograde motion. This trick is like passing a slower car on the highway. As you get close to the other vehicle, it seems to hold still beside you. Then, as you pull away, it drops backward.
What did the Magi do when they arrived in the sky?
This leads us to one of two possibilities. The first is that the Magi were making an astrological interpretation of the sky. The fact that they needed to ask Herod for directions when they arrived suggests they were not being led to their final destination by a single bright object.
Why were the Magi astrologers?
And due to a particular alignment of planets and stars, they may have read a hidden meaning among the stars, leading them to King Herod. For example, Jupiter's display could have been of great significance here, as astrology associated the planet Jupiter with royalty, so the moon passing it in the constellation of Aries on April 17, 6 B.C. could have heralded the birth of Christ.
Why did the Magi not follow a comet?
However, as the Magi trekked toward Jerusalem and on to Bethlehem, it seems unlikely that they followed a comet because its position would have changed as the Earth rotated, so the comet would not have led them in a single direction. What's more, in the ancient world, comets were often regarded as bad omens.
Why did the Magi lose sight of the star?
This could have been the result of the retrograde motion of Jupiter, which means that it appears to change direction in the night sky as Earth's orbit overtakes it.
What constellation did Mathews see Jupiter in?
Perhaps the most promising, and the one favored by Mathews, is an alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, the moon and the sun in the constellation of Aries on April 17, 6 B.C. This conjunction fits with the story for a few reasons. First, this conjunction happened in the early morning hours, which aligns with the Gospel's description of the Star ...
What would happen if the wise men followed the moment of conjunction?
If the wise men were to follow the moment of conjunction, it's possible they would have been led in a specific direction. Related: 'Great conjunction' of Jupiter and Saturn will form a 'Christmas Star' on the winter solstice.
Where did the Magi find Jesus?
And after consulting with King Herod of Judea, the men found newborn baby Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem. Whether such an event really happened in history is difficult to prove, but if it did, ...
What Was the Star of Bethlehem?
The Gospel of Matthew states that the star informed the magi of the birth of the King of the Jews and actually led them to Bethlehem once they had arrived in Jerusalem. The star of Bethlehem has been the subject of scholarly discussion ever since the first centuries after Jesus' birth. Some believed it was a supernova explosion, others a comet or a conjunction of planets associated with specific constellations that would herald the birth of a king in Israel. Some have suggested that none of these astronomical events can adequately account for all that Matthew tells us within the context of his worldview. In this discussion, I will be investigating the more common explanations to see if we can come to some understanding as to just what the magi saw 2,000 years ago.
Did the Star of Bethlehem Result from a Triple Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter?
The reason probably has to do with the mystery surrounding what this star was. Earlier, I showed the unreasonableness of the star being a comet or supernova explosion. If you were to attend a planetarium show concerning the star of Bethlehem, they would most likely present the idea that the star was a triple conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in the year 7 B.C. followed by a massing of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in 6 B.C. Realizing that planetarium shows view Scripture as something less than historically accurate, it is still necessary to ask if this indeed could have been the Star of Bethlehem.
What constellations are Jupiter and Saturn in?
The triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 B.C. was seen in the constellation Pisces in the months of May, September, and December. This provides sufficient time for the magi to see the first conjunction, begin their trip west to Judea, visit Herod by the second conjunction or at least soon afterwards, and perhaps not reach Bethlehem until the third conjunction when it is said to have appeared in the southern sky, and Bethlehem is just south of Jerusalem. Remember how the magi rejoiced to see the star again as they departed Jerusalem for Bethlehem. Ancient astrologers associated Jupiter with royalty or even a ruler of the universe. Saturn was associated with Palestine or even with the deity who protected Israel. And Pisces was associated with the nation of Israel. Later a massing of Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn occurred again in Pisces in 6 B.C. It seems feasible then that this triple conjunction followed by the massing of the three planets in Pisces could indicate to the magi that a King of Israel and a Ruler of the Universe was about to be born in Israel.
What is the new star in the Bible?
When Matthew quotes the magi as telling Herod that they observed the new King's star rising in the east, this can be interpreted as a new star, something never observed before. This has led some scholars to believe that the star of Bethlehem was a nova or supernova. A nova is a white dwarf star that literally explodes.
What is the royal star?
Remember that Jupiter is considered the royal star. Well, in 3 B.C., Jupiter came into conjunction with Regulus, the star of kingship, the brightest star in the constellation of Leo, the first of several such conjunctions over the next year. Leo was the constellation of kings, and it was also closely associated by some with the Lion of Judah. This is beginning to look interesting. "The royal planet approached the royal star in the royal constellation representing Israel." (1) In addition, on September 11, 3 B.C., Jupiter was not only very close to Regulus, but the sun was in the constellation Virgo. Hmmm, the royal planet in conjunction with the royal star while the sun is in a virgin. September 11, 3 B.C., is also the beginning of the Jewish New Year. There seems to be an awful lot coming together here.
How many magi are there in the Bible?
Here we see that Matthew appears to describe the star as moving, as leading the magi to Jesus. There is clearly more than one magi, but only tradition holds that there were three--presumably because of the three gifts. These Gentile wise men worship the King whom the star has led them to.
What happened before Herod died?
While there are many lines of evidence that Martin uses to make his point, a critical issue is a lunar eclipse that occurred just prior to Herod's death. According to the Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, on the night of a lunar eclipse , Herod executed two rabbis. Herod himself died soon afterwards, just before Passover. Martin points out that the lunar eclipse of March 13, 4 B.C., was only a 40% partial eclipse and barely visible. Also he reconstructs the events between the eclipse and Herod's death, about 4 weeks, and determines there was not enough time for all these things to take place. However, Martin has located a total lunar eclipse on January 10, 1 B.C., twelve and a half weeks prior to Passover.
What planet was in the well of Bethlehem?
I would speculate that the Magi, upon arriving at Bethlehem, stopped at the gate to have a drink of water from the well located “near the gate of Bethlehem,” and upon looking down at the still water in the well, saw the reflection of Jupiter, the “King planet”, which they had been following in the night sky during their short journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Seeing the reflection of Jupiter in the well, they would have perceived that the planet was directly over Bethlehem that night, as stated in Matthew 2:9-10. This was surely confirmation to the Magi that they were in the place where Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, had been born.
What did the Magi find in the manger?
Although we know from the Gospel accounts that at the actual time of the birth of Jesus the angel announced to the shepherds in the field that a Savior had been born and that they would find the “baby” (Greek: brephos; Aramaic: ula) in a “manger” (Luke 2:11–12), we now know that the Magi came at a later date, and that they found a child in a house, not a babe in a stable!
What did the Magi see in the Gospel?
It is implied in the Gospel message that when the Magi visited with King Herod in Jerusalem, they reported that they had first seen the star rising in the east (Matthew 2:1–2, 7), signaling to them that a great King had been born. In reality, they arrived in Jerusalem over a year later – after following the “star” on their journey from Persia. Matthew 2:11 states that the Magi saw Jesus as a “young child” (Greek: paidion; Aramaic: talya; a “toddler,” not a “baby/infant!”) and found him in “the house” (not a stable!) – where the Magi bowed down and worshipped him.
How old was Jesus when he was circumcised?
After the birth of Jesus on September 11, 3 BC, Luke’s account states that the baby Jesus was circumcised in accordance with Jewish religious law (at 8-days old) and then presented in the Temple (following the additional days allotted for the purification of “them,” including Mary – an additional 33-day period for the birth of a male, per Leviticus 12:1–8). Still no Magi. Then Luke states that the family returned to Nazareth (Luke 2:39). This is often overlooked! A short time later, when Jesus was a year old or so, the family moved back to Bethlehem. Matthew 2 picks up the story in Bethlehem with the visit of the Magi at this time (Matthew 2:9–12). Subsequently, in response to a warning from an angel in a dream, the family escapes to Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15). Herod then kills all of the children in Bethlehem, “two years old and under” (Matthew 2:16–18). Herod picked this age range to be assured of killing Jesus. Later, while In Egypt, Joseph was informed by an angel that Herod was dead; and the family moved back to Israel and re-settled in Nazareth (Matthew 2:19–23), where the young Jesus grew up.
When did the Magi arrive in Bethlehem?
Was December 25, 2 BC the date that the Magi arrived in Bethlehem to greet and worship the Savior and present their gifts? Certainly, the unusual astronomical sign of Jupiter appearing stationary directly over Bethlehem while in the constellation of Virgo would support this date for the Magi’s visit. This date is also consistent with the argued birth date of Jesus being September 11, 3 BC and with the time required for the Magi to travel from Persia to Bethlehem. This would place the visit of the Magi exactly 15 months after the birth of Jesus, consistent with the sign of His birth in Revelation 12:1–6.
What was the main factor that brought the Magi to Jerusalem?
In his early work The Birth of Christ Recalculated (1978), Ernest Martin sums up the cosmic signs which were evident during the period 7 BC to 2 BC in this manner: “We are told in the New Testament that the main factor that brought the Magi to Jerusalem was ‘his star. ’.
Where did the Magi see the star?
From these verses we see that the star was defined by the Magi as “his star” and that it was seen when it rose while they were in Persia. Later, the star seemingly moved in the sky, heading in a southerly direction as the Magi traveled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The “star” then stopped any movement and was directly overhead when the Magi arrived at the place where Jesus was located in Bethlehem. These are all wonderful clues to help identify the “star.”
What Was the Purpose of the Star of Bethlehem?
Matthew is the only one of the four gospels that mentions the star. It doesn’t appear that it was seen or followed by any other parties besides the Wise Men.
What Did the Star of Bethlehem Signify?
Astrological events were often thought to portend the birth of great heroes or rulers.
What did the wise men from the east know?
Eventually, the word came to be used for anyone who had supernatural knowledge or ability, or a magician. The Wise Men from the east were likely something along the lines of these Persian astrologers. It’s possible the Magi knew something of Jewish prophecy due to the time the Jews spent in captivity in Babylon.
What did Herod do when he realized he had been outwitted by the Magi?
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
What does Balaam say about Jacob?
In Numbers 24:17, Balaam prophesies, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”
Where is the star of Bethlehem in the Bible?
The star of Bethlehem is never called by that name in the Bible. It first appears in Matthew 2:2, when the Magi (or Wise Men) from the east go to King Herod in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”.
Where was the Messiah born when Herod heard this?
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written…”
What did the Magi tell Herod?
Recall, the Gospel of Matthew states that the Magi told Herod, presumably in early 4 BC, that they had observed the Star of Bethlehem for the better part of two years. To be “safe”, Herod ordered the massacre of all innocents two years and younger. Possibly, the persistence of SN RCW 103 in the sky for a year or more imbued the sight with significance, and drew the Magi from Persia to Judaea?
When did the Magi see the star of Bethlehem?
Hence probably the Magi saw the rising of that comet at the dawn of 26 August 12 BCE. It was without a tail. So naturally, they identified it as an unusual star. The next morning circa at 8 o’clock the Magi worshipped Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea. According to the Chinese observations and modern calculations after August 26 it was possible to observe the rising of that star, aka the star of Bethlehem, circa two weeks if the sky was clear.
How long does it take for the star of Bethlehem to rise?
A: The rising of the so-called star of Bethlehem could be observed at the dawn circa two weeks if the weather was fine. How do I know that?
How long does a supernova last?
A supernova is normally visible for a couple of years (2–4).
What prophecy says a virgin gives birth?
As per the prophecy of Isaiah 7: 11 , a sign in the sky, a virgin gives birth. Its quite possible that a conjunction of the 2 brightest planets in the sky that occurred in 13BCE in the constellation of Virgin may perhaps have marked the birth of the Messiah.
What did the wise men see?
The most likely answer is that the wise men were astrologers and they saw something they interpreted as a sign. But since we don’t know what it was it could have been anywhere from a few minutes to years. Things that have been proposed include comets and supernovas and conjunction of stars and planets. Ancient astronomers recorded an object visible for 70 days in about the right time.
Which planets are in Pisces?
In addition to the well-established 7 BC triple conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn & Mars in Pisces — which might be associated with the Israelite tribe of Zebulun in Galilee wherein resides the town of Nazareth [5] — the Chinese & Koreans plausibly observed SN RCW 103 in March-April of 5 & 4 BC.
Overview
Religious interpretations
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Star of Bethlehem is interpreted as a miraculous event of symbolic and pedagogical significance, regardless of whether it coincides with a natural phenomenon; a sign sent by God to lead the Magi to the Christ Child. This is illustrated in the Troparion of the Nativity:
Your birth, O Christ our God, dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth. Fo…
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Star of Bethlehem is interpreted as a miraculous event of symbolic and pedagogical significance, regardless of whether it coincides with a natural phenomenon; a sign sent by God to lead the Magi to the Christ Child. This is illustrated in the Troparion of the Nativity:
Your birth, O Christ our God, dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth. Fo…
Matthew's narrative
The Gospel of Matthew tells how the Magi (often translated as "wise men", but more accurately astrologers) arrive at the court of Herod in Jerusalem and tell the king of a star which signifies the birth of the King of the Jews:
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is he wh…
Explanations
Many scholars who see the gospel nativity stories as later apologetic accounts created to establish the messianic status of Jesus regard the Star of Bethlehem as a pious fiction. Aspects of Matthew's account which have raised questions of the historical event include: Matthew is the only one of the four gospels which mentions either the Star of Bethlehem or the Magi. Some scholars suggest tha…
Relating the star historically to Jesus' birth
If the story of the Star of Bethlehem described an actual event, it might identify the year Jesus was born. The Gospel of Matthew describes the birth of Jesus as taking place when Herod was king. According to Josephus, Herod died after a lunar eclipse and before a Passover Feast. Some scholars suggested dates in 5 BC, because it allows seven months for the events Josephus documented between the lunar eclipse and the Passover rather than the 29 days allowed by lun…
Depiction in art
Paintings and other pictures of the Adoration of the Magi may include a depiction of the star in some form. In the fresco by Giotto di Bondone, it is depicted as a comet. In the tapestry of the subject designed by Edward Burne-Jones (and in the related watercolour), the star is held by an angel.
The colourful star lantern known as a paról is a cherished and ubiquitous symb…
See also
• Caesar's Comet
• Star of David – The Jewish symbol of King David, which the Star of Bethlehem is often associated with having been a miraculous appearance of.
Bibliography
• Brown, Raymond E. (1973). The Virginal Conception and Bodily Resurrection of Jesus. Paulist Press. ISBN 978-0809117680.
• Brown, Raymond E. (1999). The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0300140088.
The Magi and The Star of Bethlehem
- This familiar and haunting chorus from the Christmas carol, "We Three Kings of Orient Are," introduces us to what seems to be the only ubiquitous biblical symbol during the Christmas season, the star of Bethlehem. This Christmas, as you look over the Christmas cards in the stores or in your own burgeoning collection from family and friends, you will see one very constant ele…
What Was The Star of Bethlehem?
- The Gospel of Matthew states that the star informed the magi of the birth of the King of the Jews and actually led them to Bethlehem once they had arrived in Jerusalem. The star of Bethlehem has been the subject of scholarly discussion ever since the first centuries after Jesus' birth. Some believed it was a supernova explosion, others a comet or a conjunction of planets associated wi…
Was The Star of Bethlehem The Planet Jupiter?
- In this discussion, I have considered a nova, a comet, and a triple conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn as the Star of Bethlehem between 7 and 4 B.C., and none have seemed to be satisfactory. In 1991, Ernest Martin published a book titled, The Star That Astonished the World. His major thesis is that Herod died in 1 B.C. and not 4 B.C. If ...
The Shekinah Glory as The Star of Bethlehem
- So far in this essay, I have discussed several naturalistic explanations for the Star of Bethlehem: a nova or exploding star, a comet, a triple conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in 7 B.C., and the planet Jupiter as it traveled in the constellation Leo in 3-2 B.C. Each of these astronomical events represents a natural occurrence that God used to announce the birth of His Son. One of t…