Nonitage

Which event is most specious as an explanation of the Star of Bethlehem depends on which year is assumed as the year Jesus was born. Matthew wrote that Jesus was born during the time of Herod. According to Josephus, Herod passed away shortly after a lunar eclipse. This is ordinarily noted as the eclipse of March 13, 4 BC. Coins supplied by Herod’s replacements establish that they dated their reigns as beginning in 4 BC.

According to Matthew’s chronicle, Jesus must have been born sometime between the original appearance of the Star of Bethlehem and the time the magi came in Herod’s court. As Herod told the execution of boys age 2 and even younger, the star must have given its initial appearance within the previous two years. There was, all the same, no Roman census in 64 BC.

The Star of Bethlehem, also named the Christmas Star, is a star in Christian lineage that supposedly divulged the birth of Jesus to the magi (or “wise men”) and after led them to Bethlehem. Fitting in to the Gospel of Matthew, the magi were gentlemen “from the east” who were inspired by the appearance of the star to travel to Jerusalem in search of a king of the Jews. There they received King Herod of Judea, who notified them that the child they searched was in Bethlehem, a nearby village. While the magi were on their way to Bethlehem, the star came along again. Tracing the star, it paused this time above the place where Jesus was born. The magi found Jesus with his mother, consecrated him homage, admired him and gave gifts. They then returned to their “own country”.

The episode is especially appreciated at planetarium shows during the Christmas time of year, although the Biblical account hints that the visit of the magi took place at least several months after Jesus was born.

To learn more about astronomy, visit Ask the Astronomer.

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