Posted on 12/12/2020 1:33:20 PM PST by Texas Fossil
There’s nothing like a little Christmas miracle to inspire cheer after the chaos of 2020.
On Dec. 21, people will have the opportunity to experience the same awe as the three wise men when they looked to the sky and saw the “Christmas Star,” or the “Star of Bethlehem,” shining brightly.
In an event that has not occurred in almost 800 years, Jupiter and Saturn will appear to almost collide in a phenomenon scientists refer to as a “conjunction,” making them look like an incredibly bright “double planet,”according to a report from Forbes Media.
Rice University astronomer Patrick Hartigan explained that lesser alignments between these planets occur about every 20 years.
But for the planets to appear this close to one another is “exceptionally rare,” and such an event isn’t likely to happen again until March 15, 2080.
“You’d have to go all the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226, to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky,” Hartigan told Forbes.
While stargazers can appreciate the spectacle before it slips away, for Christians, an experience such as this is merely a glimpse of the wonders God can perform.
That should inspire hope in this tumultuous year.
Many people are worried not only for their physical health but for their mental health as well, as various state-level restrictions keep businesses, churches shuttered and loved ones separated.
With more government oversight likely to come, devastating the economy and suppressing vital liberties — including the freedom of religion — it can be difficult to see beyond the trials of the present.
In times such as these, it can be easy to despair, so that’s why the reappearance of the Christmas Star is so significant.
(Excerpt) Read more at westernjournal.com ...
There are many places this event is posted, this is one of the best.
I look forward to seeing it. And the timing could not be more appropriate just prior to Christmas when we are afraid for the consequences of the stolen election.
May God Bless President Trump and his family during this Christmas. May God Bless the "United States" of America. May we again represent the light of truth to the rest of the world.
Not exactly. The Christmas star was three planets.
Well I will just say that that has to mean something in this very precarious time. One message that may or may not seem obvious is all of us should increase our amount of faith that we have in our Lord. Give Jesus a try he will not let you down...His covenant is one way.
My Bible says “star”, not two planets
The ancients knew perfectly well that Jupiter and Saturn were not a single star.
Note to self,
December 21,2020.
The Christmas star in the Bible
Some of what we know of the Star of Bethlehem was originally included in St. Matthew’s Gospel, and some of it has come down to us as interpretation or embellishment.
There is no mention of there being three kings, only ‘Magi’ (wise men, magicians or possibly astrologers) who left three gifts. The Greek word, generally translated as ‘star’ (αστερα - astera/astra from which we get ‘astronomy’) can also mean planet, or could refer to other objects such as a comet.
There is no mention that the star is particularly bright, and it doesn’t have significance for anyone other than the Magi.
However, over the years there have been many possible explanations suggested for this element of the Christmas story. Is there an astronomical basis for the Star of Bethlehem?
https://www.rmg.co.uk/content/what-was-christmas-star
The “star” of Bethlehem wasn’t a spectacular celestial event that was clearly visible to everyone. Otherwise, King Herod wouldn’t have needed to ask the chief priests and scholars when it appeared in the sky. He would have seen it himself.
Gonna be cool. Been watching the planets get “closer” every night. Hope it’s not cloudy that night.
They clustered together about two years ago(?) - saw them.
From Moon rise
On,,
That’s actually comforting to me, in some strange, bizarre way.
Thanks for posting it, Tex.
the Star of Bethlehem was visible during broad daylight. I doubt this will be.
I read somewhere about a nova that was recorded by Chinese astrologers, in 5 or 4BC.
Herod may not have been interested in the night sky...and his astrologers might not have wanted to mention it anyway. You have to watch what you say to people like Herod :)
Of course, the word star in those days also referred to the visible planets. They were wandering stars (mainly Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars) or morning and evening stars (mainly Venus and Mercury).
T post. sign.
bttt
Bump
....For the First Time in 800 Years (2000?), the ‘Christmas Star’ Will Be Visible....
No it will not be!!!!
http://saintandrewgoc.org/home/2016/12/22/the-star-of-bethlehem
If you don’t believe Orthodox Tradition, read the Scriptures. No astronomical body could do what the Star did to guide the Magi!!
We will most likely not see it in the U.S. It is supposed to peak at around 1pm EST. It will likely be most visible to people in Paris, Madrid, Rome, Warsaw, Frankfurt, and other major cities in Europe and a couple in Africa, such as Algiers.
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