[Williams]

I think it's old news that there may be remnants of a supernova from that time, or that a comet may have been in the area, etc. Of course, Arthur C. Clarke's short story "The Star" takes a particularly anti-religious slant on the supernova theory.

[gitmo]

There was also a theory about all the planets lining up just right.

[TLR]

Actually, you do a disservice with speculation about Rick Larson's presentation. It is scholarly and well done. He shows through common star maps how the stars aligned in a unique manner that would have been then and now is easily understood. As impressive he show that a solar eclipse occurred on Passover day at exact the time that the Bible said Christ died. From my perspective his message is an affirmation of faith for Christians and honest seekers... certainly a Merry Christmas message.

[UnklGene]

You have to take Arthur C. Clarke with a grain of salt. To hear him tell it, he suggested a geosyncronous communications satellite in 1945!