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What was the Star of Bethlehem? Was it really a star? New knowledge of the old astrological beliefs and modern computer-based planetary tables may yet cast new light on this age-old question. But before going back in time to explore the possible answers, one needs to realize the many problems the questions.

Matthew is the only one of the Biblical books which names either the Star of Bethlehem or the magi. The Gospel of Mark, considered by progressive text scholars to be the oldest of the Gospels, does not include a nativity narrative or any hint that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The author of the Gospel of John also appears to be unconscious of the Bethlehem nativity narratives. The Gospels often reported Jesus as “of Nazareth,” but never as “of Bethlehem”. Many scholars have reasoned that Jesus was in all likelihood born in Nazareth and that the nativity narratives are shaped by the desire of the Gospel writers to portray his birth as a fulfillment a prophecy in the Book of Micah concerning a Bethlehem birth.

Matthew’s description of the miracles and presages assisting the birth of Jesus can be compared to stories referring the birth of Augustus, the first Roman emperor. Associating a birth to the first appearance of a star was consonant with the common belief each person’s life was linked to a particular star. Magi and astronomical events were coupled in the public mind by the visit to Rome of a delegation of magi at the time of a amazing appearance of Halley’s Comet in AD 66.

There are many other elements that bring to the puzzle, including the uncertainty in the actual date of Christ’s birth and the terminology used to describe celestial events during the Stars appearance some 20 centuries ago. For instance, any ethereal object bright enough to attract attention was likely to be called a “star.” Meteors, for instance, were “shooting” or “falling ” stars; comets were “hairy” stars; novae were “new” stars and planets were thought to be “wandering” stars.