The Star of Bethlehem
Have you ever wondered what the star of bethlehem really was? The term star is used throughtout the Old and New Testament symbolically representing supernatural beings..either the Messiah (Num 24:17.."there shall come a Star out of Jacob", 2 Peter 1:19/ Rev 2:28/Rev 22:16..." the day star and the morning star), as well as angels both in heaven and those cast out of heaven (demons) Isa 14:13.."I will exalt my throne above the stars of God (angels), Rev 12:4/Daniel 12:3...stars cast out of heaven ...and even Satan himself ..Rev 9:1.."and I saw a star fall from heaven. What we do know is this "star" could not have been an actual star as it had to be low enough in the atmosphere to move...much like a satellite...so that it could be seen moving past the stationary stars to lead the Magi on there quest. It also had to be low enough to be able to stop over a house and this gave them the location of the babe. Actual stars are so far from the earth that you could move a thousand miles with no change, except declination and ascension. Also such a phenomenon if it were an actual star would be visible to everyone on earth as the earth rotated and would have been recorded in their star charts such as those recorded by those in ancient China. Imagine if this "star" was one of Gods messenger angels maybe 5 miles up in the atmosphere, radiating his glory. When he stopped...the Magi stopped. When he moved again....they followed. According to Matt 2:9/ 2:16, they wise men had been observing and following the star for two years. Until it made its final stop in Matt 2:9-11, "and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they were come unto the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold and frankincense, and myrrh". Merry Christmas!