The star of Bethlehem has...
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The star of Bethlehem has received much attention throughout the ages. Because of advancements in the science of astronomy, it is possible to "clock the heavens backward" (mathematically) to observe what the heavens were like at the time of Jesus' birth. Our solar system is like a table top -- the planets being almost on the same plane and traveling in the same orbital direction around the sun. The inner circle of planets travels faster than the outer circle, such that Jupiter, for example, will lap Saturn about every 20 years. In 7 B.C. from the viewpoint of the earth, these two planets aligned with one another three times in a six-month period. (Factoring the movement of the earth in relationship to these two planets, it appeared like the planets changed direction and realigned themselves.) This took place in the direction of the constellation Pisces, ascribed by astrologers to represent the people of Israel. Since Jupiter was the "king" planet, it is easy to see how the "wise men from the East" concluded that this was a portent of a special birth in the land of Israel.
