2006-12-16 16:04:32 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
The Greek word ASTER referred to in the bible by the wise men is a much more general term than our English word star. It can refer to any kind of heavenly body—a star, a planet, an asteroid, a comet, or a meteor. The three most widely accepted explanations for the star of the magi identify it as (1) a conjunction of planets, (2) a comet, or (3) a supernova.
The problem with the supernova explanation is that supernovae are so spectacular that nearly all observers would have noticed such an event and recorded it; yet it receives no mention anywhere but in the Bible.
Comets, too, are unsuitable candidates, for they are so common as to warrant no special response from the magi. Further, comets are so well documented through history that if one did occur, especially an unusual one, at the time of Christ’s coming, it would show up in the records.
Neither do we find any noteworthy conjunction of planets at that time. Besides, the text specifically describes one star, and even for a close conjunction (none at that time were any closer than the diameter of the moon) the eye can distinguish the different planets.
What possibilities are left? One that seems plausible is a phenomenon called a recurring nova. An easily visible nova (a star that suddenly increases in brightness and then within a few months or years grows dim) occurs about once every decade. Novae are sufficiently uncommon to catch the attention of observers as alert and well trained as the magi must have been. However, many novae are also sufficiently unspectacular as to escape the attention of others.
Most novae experience only a single explosion. But a tiny fraction have the capacity to undergo multiple explosions separated by months or years. This repeat occurrence seems necessary, for the Matthew text indicates that the star appeared, disappeared, and then reappeared and disappeared sometime later.
This is of course only a theory as Matthew provides the only record of this star, and what he records does not give us sufficient information to make a definitive conclusion.
2006-12-16 16:25:48 · answer #1 · answered by Shuggaloaf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theres stars out every night. Get out of the house and take a look. If your looking in peticular for a Christmas star then you should go to google and type in Christmas star and see what it says.
2006-12-16 16:07:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Merry xmas Eve to you also...convinced you'll have a admired individual for Christmas ..My plans are to spend the holiday journeys with my kin i`ve no longer yet opened any promises yet we do to have the custom of starting one modern on Christmas eve and some thing on Christmas morning . Merry xmas
2016-11-26 23:39:51 · answer #3 · answered by estremera 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look way up high, if you see the tree it was meant to be. Merry Chistmass@
2006-12-16 16:16:45 · answer #4 · answered by mybudnoobs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there is. It is in your eyes and heart. Just look into the sky and see it and feel it.
2006-12-16 16:13:40 · answer #5 · answered by Psycmixer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know but hot pic!
2006-12-16 16:07:21 · answer #6 · answered by Baby Jack born 4/5/09 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are gross. There are kids on here dude.
2006-12-16 16:06:51 · answer #7 · answered by Willow 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋