The Christmas Star or known as the Star of Bethlehem which was the brightest star that led the way for those to witness the birth of the Messiah … Jesus Christ.
The Christmas Star
This special star played in important role in the first Christmas. It was used as a navigational tool for the shepherd’s and Magi (Wiseman) to seek out the Messiah in the Christmas Story. Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign. Some theologians claimed that star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2
After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
Matthew 2:9
We know of the star more from around the Day of Epiphany. Held January 6, which is also the day after the 12th Day of Christmas.
Matthew’s account suggests that the Magi knew from the star that the “king of the Jews” had been born even before they arrived in Jerusalem.
The Star of Bethlehem is traditionally linked to the Star Prophecy in the Book of Numbers 24:17:
“I see him, but not now;
Numbers 24:17
I behold him, but not near;
A star shall come forth from Jacob,
A scepter shall rise from Israel,
And shall crush through the forehead of Moab,
And tear down all the sons of Sheth.
Researching this, some believe it might not have been a literal star, but an object that led them. Maybe like in the Exodus, pillar of cloud in the day and pillar of fire at night. But, nonetheless, it gave way or shed light to Jesus Christ.
It could be planet alignments too, just like the one they say you can see in 2020 and then again in 2080.
First published December 11, 2018. Last updated or republished December 21, 2020.
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