The Star of Bethlehem: Far More Awesome Than Just a Star by Stucky for The Burning Platform
I was responding to an Anon in the “History of Christmas in America” thread who wrote: — “Actually, there WAS a star that “moved” the day Christ was born. Read Matthew 2:2 (A star),”. My response became so lengthy I decided to keep adding to it and make it a separate thread.
Overview: The Star of Bethlehem was not an astronomical event, although it certainly was celestial (def; “belonging or relating to heaven”). The “literal star” interpretation cheapens the glory of what occurred. A celestial interpretation imparts truth, honor, and glory to the circumstances surrounding the birth of the King of Kings.
The Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11
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“ … behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
A Literal Star Is Inconsistent With The Astronomy
1)- Stars don’t break the laws of physics. They don’t suddenly appear out of nowhere, leave their orbits to wander the galaxy until it finds our solar system, disappears, reappears, changes directions, then stops, hangs around a little while … and then disappears forever after. That’s what a literal interpretation of the Star of Bethlehem requires you to believe. That ain’t no star!
2)- Stars don’t travel (or, are observed) going in every possible direction.
— when the magi left Persia they traveled from east to west. OK so far. But, when they got to Jerusalem the star was gone! So, they had to ask for directions. The priests said Messiah would come out of Bethlehem. OK. Then the star came back and led them to Bethlehem. Not, ok! Jerusalem to Bethlehem is north-south … that’s not how it works.
— The earth rotates. This makes the objects in the sky quickly change position. Everything (stars, planets, supernovas, comets, whatever) rises in the east, arcs rightward during the night and sets in the west. You would go in a giant semicircle if you followed any kind of celestial object.
3)- Then the Star of Bethlehem rested directly over the stable-cave-house where Jesus was!
— Alpha Centauri is our nearest star. Do tell me …. over which state is Alpha Centauri hovering? I’ll make it even easier … over which continent is it hovering? Well, you just can’t tell. Every amateur astronomer, or logical-thinking non-astronomer, knows you can’t find a house by following a star around.
4)- The lack of ANY non-Bible historical evidence.
— The ancients from China to Egypt had surprisingly great knowledge of astronomy. A brand new star arising out of the East at the time of Christ’s birth should have been witnessed by someone other than the Magi. Yet, there is no such mention of this event in any texts from any civilization anywhere.
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