The Star of Bethlehem

Was the "Star of Bethlehem" that led the magi to the infant Jesus in the Bible the same as the Christmas Star that was visible on Monday (Dec. 21)?

In other words, did we see what the Wise Men ostensibly saw 2,000 years ago?

It wouldn't be crazy to think so. Jupiter and Saturn will come together on Monday, nearly merging in the sky, a phenomenon known as the Great Conjunction that happens roughly once every 20 years. Jupiter and Saturn may have appeared to come together three times as they danced around each other in the sky during a period of conjunction close to when Jesus was reportedly born, during the year 7 B.C. It's conceivable that that combined light in the sky was recorded as a star, and associated with Jesus' birth, and thus named the Christmas Star, according to EarthSky. That, in fact, is why the Great Conjunction, as it’s more correctly called, is also known as the Christmas Star — because of its connection with the birth of Jesus.

Source: Live Science

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