The History of the Christmas Star
The Christmas Star, also sometimes known as the Star of Bethlehem, is an image in the sky that, according to Christian tradition, helped lead the three wise men to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Although the story is recognized as a principle of faith in Christianity, many cosmologists point to a lack of facts regarding its occurrence.
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History
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According to legend, the wise men, also known as magi, traveled from the east to Jerusalem to meet King Herod of Judea. The wise men then traveled to Bethlehem due to a prophecy from Micah, a person in the Hebrew Bible.
Significance
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Traditionally, the star itself stopped above the manger in which Jesus was born. There the wise men paid homage with gifts before returning to their country.
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Considerations
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The Christmas Star is rooted in theological faith since there is little scientific evidence for a star to appear in the sky and disappear. However, most religious scholars cite this as a factor in belief, as it is a major component in the Gospel of Matthew.
Theories/Speculation
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According to the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, the only exploding stars near that period occurred in 134 B.C. and 173 A.D. However, in 6 B.C., Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were close together, giving the image of a glowing triangle.
Fun Fact
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One of the major festivals to promote the Christmas Star is held in Poland on Christmas Eve. Known as the Festival of the Star, it is held after dinner and tests children's knowledge of religion.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of James Emery
