THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

At Christmastime each year, one of the most common questions concerns the “Star of Bethlehem” which guided the Magi to Bethlehem.

What does modern Biblical scholarship and astronomy have to say about this most popular Christmas icon?

Accordingly to Biblical analysis, it appears that the wise men were, in fact, astute and mathematically-adept astrologers. They also knew about the Old Testament prophecy that a new king would be born of the family of David. Most likely, they had been watching the heavens for years, waiting for alignments that would foretell the birth of this king. When they identified a powerful set of astrological portents, they decided the time was right to set out to find the prophesied leader. 

Modern astronomy suggests that, if Matthew’s Magi actually undertook a journey to search for a newborn king, the bright star didn’t guide them; it only told them when to set out. And they would not have found an infant swaddled in a manger. After all, the baby was already 8 months old by the time they decoded the astrological message they believed predicted the birth of a future king. 

By consulting astronomical charts, astronomers theorize that the heavenly event began on April 17 of 6 B.C. and lasted until December 19 of 6 B.C.  By the earliest time the men could have arrived in Bethlehem, the baby Jesus would likely have been at least a toddler.

And so, Biblical scholars believe that Matthew wrote the story of the Magi and the Star of Bethlehem to convince readers that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. Given the astrological clues embedded in his gospel, he must have believed the story of the Star of Bethlehem would be convincing evidence for many in his audience.

Whatever theory seems most reasonable to you, the fact that is most important is that of the Savior’s Birth, a moment which forever changed the course of human history, bringing with it the Promise of Charity and Peace among people of good will and the Hope of the Redemption by our Loving and Forgiving Heavenly Father.

Perhaps, instead of wondering about or searching the skies for the light of a Star, miraculous or real, we should search for the light of Christ’s love which truly brings light and salvation to all who bask in its glow.

God bless you.  Merry Christmas!