Professor Ralph Robinson, Contributor

Keppler

The 'Star of Bethlehem' remains a powerful, yet mysterious, symbol of Christianity. However, the true identity of the 'Star' has baffled astronomers, historians, and theologians for over 2,000 years. Scholars continue to debate whether the 'Star' is a legend manufactured by early church members, or an authentic astronomical event that marked the coming of Christ.

Theories that the writer of Matthew's gospel invented the 'Star' in order to sentimentalise the period of Christ's birth, or even to satisfy the prophesy in Numbers 24:17 "... a star shall come forth out of Jacob and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel," can be pretty much ruled out. We need only turn to the banned Protoevangelium of St. James, written in the late second century, which also quotes the Wise Men "...we have seen a star of great size ..." A star, among other things, appears on Roman coins of the day; and ancient Chinese and Babylonian almanacs describe several interesting astronomical events around the time of Jesus' birth. But could any qualify as the 'Star of Bethlehem' as reported in the biblical account of Matthew?

This bronze coin, showing a bright star, was first minted in the ancient city of Antioch, Syria, in the year 6 AD. by the Roman governor P. Sulpicius P. F. Quirinius. The constellation depicted is Aries the Ram.

Thanks to Johannes Kepler, who was one of the great mathematical minds of human history, and more recently the aid of computers, scientists can now locate celestial objects with great accuracy at any date in history, and from any viewing position on the planet. What this means is that scientists can determine what the sky actually looked like over Jerusalem 2,000 years ago! The big question is "For what years should we be scanning the sky?" Based on a number of historical markers, e.g., the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC., the historian Josephus' account of the census of allegiance [to Caesar Augustus] also around this time, and back- tracking from Christ's crucifixion in 33 AD. (also the day of a blood-red lunar eclipse), it is generally accepted by most scholars that Christ was born between 7 and 2 BC.

A spring sky

The time of year is also in question, but it is unlikely that Christ was born in December. The Gospel of Luke speaks of "... shepherds abiding in the fields ..." Herdsmen are more likely to be guarding their flocks in lambing season in the spring, or rounding up strays in the fall. So, assuming Jesus was born in either spring or fall, and between 7 and 2 B.C., will help narrow the candidates for the 'Star'.

Just before we embark on a search for potential candidates for the 'Star' on the skies over the Middle East at that time, we should take into consideration that during this period of early history astronomy and astrology were not clearly distinguished from each other. The motions of the stars and planets were observed and plotted scientifically, but this information was often used to predict the events of history, and the fate of people's lives, most notably that of ruling families. Of the various groups of priests and astrologers/astronomers of the period, magi (or 'wise men') garnered the most respect. Magi were not simply astrologers, but were professional astronomers as well. Over the centuries they operated often as emissaries to the kings who employed them. Incidentally, the Bible account does not state precisely how many there were on the historical journey recounted in the Nativity - there could have been two, or three, or a dozen!

An appropriate starting point is to consider what we know about the 'Star' itself? From biblical and secular accounts, the 'Star of Bethlehem':

Signified birth and kingship

Had a connection with Jewish culture and society

Rose in the east

Appeared at a precise time, and endured for a period of time

Shone brightly

Was ahead of the Magi as they journeyed south from Jerusalem to Bethlehem

Stopped for a period of time over Bethlehem.

So, working with these qualifications, and a likely time period of spring or autumn of 7-2 B.C., it is possible to narrow the range of celestial objects as candidates for the 'Star of Bethlehem'.