Star of Bethlehem 

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 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 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.