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Star Of Bethlehem
What was the Star of
Bethlehem?
by Dr Don DeYoung
There have been many attempts to explain the Christmas Star scientifically, and three will be mentioned here.
Some scholars think this ‘star’ was a comet, an object traditionally connected with important events in history, such as the birth of kings.
However, records of comet sightings do not match up with the Lord’s birth. For example, Halley’s Comet was present in 11 B.C., but the first Christmas took place around 5 to 7 B.C.
Others believe that the Star of Bethlehem was a conjunction, or gathering of planets, in the night sky.
Since planets orbit the sun at different speeds and distances, they occasionally seem to approach each other closely.
However, multiple planets do not look like a single light source, as described in Scripture.
Also, planetary alignments are rather frequent and therefore not that unusual.
There was a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 6 B.C., but an even closer gathering in 66. B.C., much too early!
Finally, an exploding star, or supernova, has been proposed to explain the Christmas Star.
Some stars are unstable and explode with a bright blaze. However, historical records do not indicate a supernova at the time of the Lord’s birth.
All three explanations for the Star of Bethlehem fall short of the nativity story as predicted in Numbers 24:17 and recorded in Matthew 2:1-12.
Two details in Matthew are of special interest.
First, the text implies that only the Magi saw the star. Comets, conjunctions, and exploding stars would be visible to everyone on Earth.
Second, the star went before the Magi, and led them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. This is a distance of about six miles, in a direction from north to south.
However, not only does every natural object in the sky move from east to west due to the Earth’s rotation, but it is difficult to imagine how a natural light could lead the way to a particular house.
It was a temporary and supernatural light. After all, was not the first Christmas a time of miracles?
God has often used special, heavenly lights to guide His people, such as
- the glory that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38)
- and the temple (1 Kings 8:10)
- and that shone upon the apostle Paul (Acts 9:3).
Such visible signs of God’s presence are known as the Shekinah Glory, or dwelling place of God.
This special light is a visible manifestation of divine majesty.
The great mystery of the first Christmas is not the origin of its special star.
It is the question of why the Magi were chosen to follow the light to the Messiah, and why we are given the same invitation today.
Don DeYoung is Chairman of the Science and Mathematics Department, Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana. His courses include physics, astronomy and mathematics. Don joined the Grace faculty in 1972 and has spent sabbatical leaves in California, Europe, and the South Pacific. He is a graduate of Michigan Tech University (BS, MS, Physics), Iowa State University (PhD, Physics), and Grace Theological Seminary (MDiv). His writings have appeared in many periodicals. He has also written seventeen books on Bible-science topics including object lessons for children.
Dr. DeYoung is a member of the Indiana Academy of Science and the AuSable Environmental Institute. He is currently president of the Creation Research Society with 1700 members worldwide. This group funds research, publishes a technical quarterly journal and operates a laboratory in Arizona. Don speaks on a broad range of creation topics and believes that the details of nature are a powerful testimony to the Creator’s care for mankind.
Dr. DeYoung and his wife Sally have three married daughters. In their local church Don is a teacher and small group leader.
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/stars/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/.
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