.
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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