Christians: how could a star show the place where Jesus was born?

The writer of that gospel clearly believed in astrology. Beliefs in astrology and supernatural beings are related.

Examples of biblical references to astrology seem to be:

Genesis 1:14 says “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: ".

And in Job 38:31 it says "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion ".

Isaiah 47:13-14 (NIV translation): All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.

Matthew 2:1-2 says “there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

However, Astrology was the forerunner of the modern science of Astronomy. Superstition often survives, despite increases in knowledge.

Remember: according to the Bible, the magi first expected to find the newborn king in Jerusalem at Herod's palace. After they were informed of their mistake they **asked Herod** where such a king was prophesied to be born, and Herod's Jewish scholars informed the magi that Bethlehem was the location. **Only then** did the magi begin to journey toward Bethlehem.

So: obviously the star did not show them the location in the way that you mean. However, the Bible does teach that the star showed them the location of the house in Bethlehem.

Several ways have been proposed. Basically: the star must have reached a certain extreme position on the night in question when the magi appeared in the location of that particular house. Perhaps it reached zenith; perhaps it set on the apparent horizon; perhaps a particular astronomical conjunction reached its "tightest" position at that particular moment or "aligned perfectly" at that particular moment.

Since the Bible doesn't say, we don't know. All it says is that the star "stood over the house" - without indicating what, exactly, that meant. For all we know, it could mean that from the vantage point of the magi, the star appeared to be immediately above the roof of that house - just as a particular star might appear to be immediately above the roof of your neighbor's house from your point of view.

In any case, as a locator it was obviously useless until *after* they discovered which city was the correct city!

- Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/

Similar to the materialization in Moses time, it was a materialization from the higher spirits of Heaven to guide the mediums (magi) to where Jesus the Messiah was born. He was about 2 years old by then.

Good question. Stars are out there, not down here or shooting rays down to Earth. But then, a lot of myths don't make sense when you think about them.

The star did not lead the "magi" to the manger. It led them to Herod whose intention it was to kill the child. God's people were forbidden to associate with magi - astrologers, fortune tellers, witches. Why would He send one to the birth of His son? The star was not placed there by God. It was placed there by Satan. Read it again.

Mario,

Below is link to a good read in my opinion. It may be a bit lengthy but I think you may see some logic in it. The DVD is equally good for there is visual examples of what was going on in the sky at that time. Something you could also do yourself if you have software. Please consider.

The video may be in your local library for free.

It was seen to be an UFO that could so move and take the weary travellers to the site of the birth. fact of life for the skies are full of them 24/7. Amen

It wasn't a star it was a flying cigar and it shot a beam of light to the manger. You gotta problem with stars Mister?

light in the sky. I think the Greek word can have a number of meanings.

I know you are a dimwitted atheist....but please.....tell me you are joking. lol John 10:10 God Bless