Astronomers told us the Christmas Star would appear this week, beginning on the winter solstice. It was a rare event, something that had not occurred in the heavens for over 400 years. The planets Jupiter and Saturn were to converge so closely that they appeared as one great star, reminiscent of the great star that the Three Wisemen, the Magi, followed to Bethlehem. The Bible tells us that the star came to rest over the place where the Christ child lay. Was this phenomenon fact or fiction?

Amazingly, astronomers have been able to chart the skies back to the time of the birth of Jesus. They have discovered that, indeed, a similar conjunction occurred in the year 3 B.C. Jupiter and Regulus, the star of kingship and the brightest star in the constellation of Leo, converged. Leo was considered the constellation of kings and associated with the Lion of Judah, a name often given to Christ. No wonder the Magi were excited.

But can a star actually stand still? We all know that stars move eastward night after night, so this portion of the Bible story seems implausible. If we dig deeper into the science of stars, however, we find that planets have a stationary point or retrograde loop. As a planet approaches the opposite point in the sky from the sun, it appears to slow, come to a full stop, and move backward (westward) through the sky for some weeks. (For more information on this phenomenon and the Star of Bethlehem, see https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/the-star-of-bethlehem/) Is it any wonder that the Magi “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” when they saw this amazing star? (Matthew 2:10)

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus today, let us remember that this week we had proof once again that the “heavens declare His Glory.” (Psalm 19:1) Over two thousand years ago, the heavens foretold of the birth of the King of Kings, the Messiah, Emmanuel, Jesus Christ… our Lord and Saviour. Wise men still seek Him. I pray that you find Him this Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas, Friends!

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)