Rare ‘Christmas Star’ to Appear Dec. 21: Here’s What Astronomy Says About the Biblical ‘Star of Bethlehem’ from CBN News
Editor’s Note: Much of the material for this story was originally researched and written by Gailon Totheroh nearly two decades ago.
Later this month, you can witness a rare event in the night sky that has not been seen in almost eight centuries.
The two largest planets in our solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, will align on Dec. 21 to create what’s sometimes referred to as the “Christmas Star” or the “Star of Bethlehem.”
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When the planets line up on the day marking the start of the winter solstice, they will appear to form a double planet. It’s a rare event and one that hasn’t been seen since the Middle Ages, according to Forbes.com. But in reality, the planets won’t be close at all. It will just look like that to viewers on Earth.
Theories About the ‘Star of Bethlehem’
As CBN News has reported, while there have been many theories about the identity of the biblical star of Bethlehem that appeared at Christ’s birth, a combination of historical research, astronomical insight, and biblical understanding has come together to present a plausible explanation that is both miraculous and understandable.
This theory finds the planet Jupiter to be part of that star. In the ancient world, all heavenly bodies were considered “stars”.
The Magi or the three wise men were, most likely, court advisers to Babylon who used the stars to give guidance to the ruler. Why would God guide astrologers, of all people, to the King of Kings? This example, according to some writers, was Christ’s first human ministry to unbelievers.
Who Exactly Were the Magi?
But who were these mysterious wise men? One ancient Jewish writer Philo speaks of them.
