At Christmas, we remember the clever men who followed a star to Bethlehem. But what was the star? This is the story …
The Christmas Star
At Christmas time, people sometimes put a star on top of the Christmas tree. Christmas lights in shopping centres and towns often include stars. Christmas cards often show a star directly above a thatched stable in Bethlehem— often unrealistically close, creating what would surely be a hearth hazard. In the carol “We Three Kings,” people sing of “following yonder star.”
The Biblical Account
The story of the Wise Men, also called Magi, following the Star of Bethlehem is found just once within the Bible, in Matthew 2:1–12. The origin of this story might be directly from Mary, who remembered the events and “treasured them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, 2:51). Magi were clever men linked to royal courts, they usually likely represented a king. In the Church calendar, they’re commemorated at Epiphany. The account doesn’t tell us what number of Magi there have been, what their names were, nor what the star was, or how shiny it was.
The star is mentioned twice, and the text implies the primary sighting was on the time of Jesus’s birth. The Wise Men arrive in Jerusalem from the east (Matthew 2:1) and ask for the whereabouts of the kid, saying, “For we’ve got seen his star within the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2). Herod then gathers his own Magi (Matthew 2:4), who quote Micah 5:2 to clarify that the kid will likely be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5–6). Herod subsequently calls the Magi and “enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared” (Matthew 2:7), although the text doesn’t specify in the event that they gave him a solution. The Magi then travel to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:8), where they see the star again, which seems to point to the place where the kid is (Matthew 2:9–10).
The early church father Irenaeus saw this event as a fulfilment of the Prophecy of Balaam, present in Numbers 24:17: “There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel” (KJV), which many considered to be a Messianic prophecy.
Stars within the Bible
The book of Genesis describes how God created the sun, moon, and stars, known as “lights of the sky” (Genesis 1:14–18). However, the Israelites were warned to not bow down and worship the celebrities (Deuteronomy 4:19).
The Jews believed that God had set the celebrities of their place (Psalm 8:3) and that “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1–4). Psalm 147:4 states that God “numbers the celebrities and offers every one a reputation.” Similarly, Isaiah 40:26 declares, “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one after the other and calls forth each of them by name” (KJV).
The constellations of the Bear (called Arcturus within the KJV), Orion, and the Pleiades (called the Seven Stars within the KJV) are mentioned in Job 9:9, Job 38:31–32, and Amos 5:8. For the Jews, worshipping the celebrities was forbidden, but recognising signs within the heavens was common. Even Jesus says, “There will likely be signs within the sun, moon, and stars” (Luke 21:25).
What Does the Text Mean by “Star”?
In precedent days, people were more acquainted with the celebrities. Their view of the night sky was unobstructed by light pollution from streetlights, cars, and buildings. When travelling by donkey, horse, or camel, their view was not blocked by automotive roofs or train ceilings. Stars were used for navigation and illumination. People would have known the names of the celebrities and constellations, attributing significance to their movements.
In modern English, we distinguish between stars, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, meteors, and even dwarf planets. Yet, in precedent days, any shining object within the sky, except the sun and moon, was called a “star.” What we now call planets were considered “wandering stars.” In fact, our word “planet” comes from the Greek term for wandering star: planētes asteres.
Astronomy and the Star of Bethlehem
The modern word “astronomy” derives from the Greek word for star, astron. Ancient astronomers meticulously tracked the movements of stars. The Babylonians had schools for stargazers, and cuneiform tablets document their observations. Ancient Chinese emperors also maintained stargazing staff, leading some researchers to look at Babylonian and Chinese records for clues in regards to the Star of Bethlehem.
For example, Chinese records describe an object with a tail (possibly a comet) visible within the spring of 5 BC for 70 days. Some suggest this was a nova, while others propose it was a comet. Many consider Jesus was born around 5 BC, making this event a candidate for the star.
Astronomical Theories
1. The Comet Theory
Early church father Origen suggested the Star of Bethlehem was a comet, a theory that continues to be popular. Comets are icy bodies that heat up near the sun, producing tails that time in a particular direction. Some speculate that Halley’s Comet, visible in 12 BC, was the star.
2. The Nova or Supernova Theory
A nova is a “latest star,” while a supernova occurs when a star collapses. These rare events are shiny enough to be seen in the course of the day, as Johannes Kepler observed in 1604.
3. The Conjunction Theory
Conjunctions occur when planets align. In 7 BC, there have been conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn, and in 6 BC, a triple conjunction involving Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Some consider these alignments explain the Star of Bethlehem.
4. The Astrological Theory
In precedent days, astronomy and astrology were intertwined. Some suggest the Magi interpreted astrological signs, reminiscent of the alignment of planets in specific constellations, as heralding the birth of a Jewish king.
Conclusion
We may never know exactly what the Wise Men saw. However, the story aligns with what we learn about ancient Magi and their interest in celestial events. Patrick Moore, the legendary British presenter of The Sky at Night, perhaps summarised it best: “Frankly, we just do not know!”
