Montrose, Colorado
Rev. Willis A. (Bert) Jones, a country preacher
Dec 2012 (Rewrite-Recent additions-3/28/16)
The Bethlehem Star!
The Bethlehem Star!
Recently I was asked what I knew about the star at Christmas time. So I looked into the subject. One thing I am not is an astronomer. I am not a true star gazer. And in addition, I am certainly not an astrologist. Yet this is what I do know.
First, I know that there were nine major conjunctions between 3 and 2 BC. Six were between Jupiter and other heavenly bodies. Three these were with Regulus. Jupiter is the planet representing the Messiah and Regulus is a bright star representing Kingship. Many years before this event, Daniel had taught the Meads in Babylon to watch for a sign in the heavens. This sign was that the Messiah was to be born. This is unusual. Also the "star" had to do with the wise men or Magi from the East, not Jesus birth, but the celebration of his birth. In reading the Gospel we see that the Magi visited the child Jesus when he was a toddler and lived in a house. The Bethlehem baby boys under two years old were ordered killed by King Herod.
I also know from John's writing (Revelation 12:5) that a woman would give birth to a child who would rule all nations. The date for this event was shown in the stars, sun and moon placement was in 3 BC, August 27 until September 15 (a 20 day period). The key in this is the moon. Rev. 12 says the moon was under the woman's feet and the sun mid body, clothing the Virgin (Virgo). With modern computer programs we can date this happing only one day in the year, Sept. 11 just after sun-set. One day before (Sep. 10 ) the moon would been above the feet of the virgin and one day later (Sept. 12) the moon had moved at least 25 diameters east of the feet. This was a new moon, visible from earth, just before dark. This New Moon day is the first day of a month, day 1 of Tishri or Rosh ha-Shanah; THE DAY OF TRUMPETS.
One other thing I know, we do not know just what the Magi were thinking. We were not there. We do know the Apostle John was writing in symbolic language telling us the time of Jesus birth. We also know that "Day of Trumpets" is very important in God's calendar. In conclusion; The Magi came to Bethlehem on the third day of Hanukkah, December 25, 2 BC, (the festival of lights) observed each year from about 164 BC until the present. This eight day season varies as to the start date on our calendar. Jesus was about 15 months old at the time. The Lord Jesus was born September 11, 3 BC.