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Star of Bethlehem 

The Star of Bethlehem story evolved from natural astronomical events in 7 BCE – conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn. Over time, this tale, shaped by storytelling traditions, transformed from myth into widely accepted fact.

Star of Bethlehem
  • Summary

    The famous story of the star guiding wise men to Bethlehem, known as the Star of Bethlehem, emerged from later interpretations of remarkable but natural astronomic conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 BCE. These events were woven into an appealing legend, typical of the storytelling traditions of the time, which transformed over generations from myth into accepted fact.

  • The Three Wise Men

    The incarnation of Jesus is an absolute miracle that only God knows the secret to. The Son of God, sovereign of the universe, is also the son of a man and woman at conception. Surrounding the birth are events magical and commonplace, accurate and embellished, including a wondrous heavenly star leading men to the site, then stopping to shine above.

    An angel, with permission to contact three Chaldean priests whose leader was Ardnon, was informed of the incarnation from heaven. They heard from a strange religious teacher in their country his dream that the “light of life” would appear as a baby among the Jews. The three wise men left Ur in Mesopotamia and traveled to Jerusalem. After weeks of futile search and about to head back home, Zacharias met them and disclosed his belief they were looking for the baby born in Bethlehem. They found Jesus, now almost three weeks old, and left their gifts with Mary.

    Angels did sing anthems of glory over the Bethlehem manger, but the three wise men were the only human visitors to pay Jesus’ homage. They found the place without a star to guide them.

  • The Star of Bethlehem

    The beautiful legend of the star came about inspired by an unusual astronomical occurrence in 7 BCE from a conjunction of large planets in the night sky. Jesus was born on August 21st at noon; on May 29th, Jupiter and Saturn were conjunct in Pisces, with similar occurrences on September 29th and December 5th. Well-meaning zealots of the succeeding generation spun the charming legend of a star of Bethlehem leading the adoring Magi to the manger. Since many delighted in fairy tales, myths sprung up, especially around religious leaders and political heroes. Since stories passed largely by word of mouth, myths became traditions and were later accepted as facts.

Suggested Reading from this Essay

Timeline

Related People

  • Mary

    The chosen mother of Jesus.

  • Joseph

    Father of Jesus and husband to Mary.

  • Jesus

    Son of God, Son of Man. Creator Son of the Universe.

Related Topics

Related Locations

Contributors

Gregg Tomusko, Mike Robinson, Gary Tonge

References and Sources

  • 119:7.6 An angel tells three wise men of the heavenly birth.
  • 122:8.5 No mortal creatures honored the babe of Bethlehem except for the three wise men.
  • 122:8.6 A strange religious teacher dreams of the “light of life.”
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