Much has been written of a “Christmas star” a bright conjunction of 2 planets, the moving stars of Saturn and Jupiter meeting on the solstice. The universe is not clockwork, but the patterns we see can be projected back or forwards based on reasonably regular ellipsoid motions. These patterns have been both useful and interesting, more so they may indicate stages in a great plan for the earth.
Right from the beginning our first ancestors were told that the stars were for signs.
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 let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. (Genesis 1:14-16)
The fixed stars are useful for navigation, but the pattern in the moving stars (the planets) against the background of fixed stars is useful for establishing other time periods. In Ancient Egypt the movement of Sirius each year in mid-August predicted the flooding of the Nile. The ancients counted 7 stars, which we call planets (Rev 1:20)
Seek him that makes the seven stars and Orion, and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the day dark with night: that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: (Amos 5:8)
Few consider that these planetary motions are not reasonable, even impossible. We are told that God has a 'line' to hold the earth about the sun (Psa 19:4), which Newton established was the case with huge forces involved. The pattern of movement of the heavenly bodies is also set in place by God, who is well able to know in advance the timing of his own plans for the earth as a day is as 1,000 years (2 Peter 3:8).
Which commands the sun, and it rises not; and seals up the stars. (Job 9:7)
We show that an
eclipse and an earthquake combine in the days of Uzziah king of
Judah. The most famous heavenly sign is that of the babyhood of
Christ. Wise men (magos, magi) from some
unidentified place of East come to Jerusalem to Herod the king
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.”
(Matthew 2:2)
The star is a curious star, as firstly the men
speak in the past tense – then they see the star again and it
behaves in a very peculiar manner going from over Jerusalem to
over Bethlehem then standing still.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Mat 2:9-10)
Many have supposed it was a comet. The matter is complicated as Christ was not a baby but under two years old (Matt 2:16), which may indicate the East was further than Babylon, a place well known to Jews and a journey of some months. We have only the one witness, a reliable witness, that this very odd celestial event occurred, but the point is established that at significant events there is a sign in the heavens.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visit him? (Psalm 8:3-4)
The sign of a Star
In the Bible, symbols from the natural world are used to indicate events in the political world. Joseph's dream has his brothers as future leaders of tribes as stars (Gen 37:9). Revelation 8 features a star called 'Wormwood', who emerges as Atilla the Hun. Revelation 9 has another star that emerged as Mohomet. We speak of stars as leaders, such as sport and film stars.
We might expect the sign in the sky is to prefigure two leaders that join together to shine more brightly. Which two will emerge may be more easily seen in retrospect. Or it may speak of a singular star shining brightly. There are many events going on at once. In the Middle East there are moves to bring the Israelis closer to the Saudis where the prince of the Saudis is emerging as a star. There are the many trade deals between Britain and other nations, of note being the one with India where Modi is arising as a global star. There are moves in the EU due to Brexit which may make stars arise, and there are issues in America causing many 'stars' to arise. At present a search finds nothing of note as to a bright shining star… if one was to make a note on the 22nd as we look all leaders are in the shade of their issues, with Macron being directly affected by the Wuhan virus, Merkel weak, Boris harassed, Trump eclipsed, even Putin and Xi are not shining notably.
Multiple media report that going back in history there was a conjunction, but not a close one on May 28, 2000. That year on May 5 the sun, moon, planets Mercury and Saturn aligned during the new moon. Nothing much may have occurred in May but in December the US election outcome between Bush and Gore is dramatically disputed. There was a close conjunction 16 July, 1623 which was likely not seen as it was in the sun. This was not long after Galileo discovered four moons about Jupiter which uoregon.edu some rejected, despite seeing them and refused to see them as it upset dogmatic theological thinking. The last great conjunction to appear was 4 March, 1226. Scientific American mentions Genghis Kahn, which connects to the Magi of the East of the Birth of Christ (also the Zoroastrians of the same area). On 9 March the Islamic conquest of Georgia is noted that year Khwarezmian sultan Jalal ad-Din captures the capital. On 26 March Wikipedia reports “the Roman-German emperor Frederick II issued Golden Bull of Rimini, in which he granted Teutonic Knights the right to all of the lands they will get during the mission in Prussia, he also considered himself a senior of Teutonic Order and of Poland, as well as the universal ruler of Christian Europe.”
Frederick II had married the queen of Jerusalem in 1225 and would go on crusade in 1228 resulting in 1229 in a treaty with the local Sultan that gave Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem to his kingdom, but allowed the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque to remain under Islamic control. These events may be interesting. Was Frederick a star? He was called stupor mundi, the "astonishment of the world" encouraged Jews, especially in translations and learning, annoyed the popes and “was also interested in the stars, and his court was host to many astrologers and astronomers” Wikipedia. What star may emerge now is not, as yet, clear.
But what star might we note, is noted at this time of year – Christ!
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16)
What others think
Daily Express at least reported with faint praise that damned; "Pastor Begley is a fervent purveyor of doomsday prophecies & outrageous conspiracies who believes we are living in the end days."express.co.uk
Here is the Begley conspiracy theory "this a sign by God divinely appointed, as it says in Genesis 1:14. We are closing in, that we are getting closer to the Coming of Jesus Christ. If it's not a sign in the heavens, is there signs going on in the Earth that would lead you to believe or to understand that time is certainly coming closer. "Is it the sin? Is it the wickedness? Is it the abominations? Is it the wars, rumours of wars? Is it nation rising against nation?"
Then the Express author comments, “There is, however, no evidence Monday's conjunction has any link to the Star of Bethlehem or Biblical prophecies."
As to the past events at the Birth of Christ, we only have the comment of the time and reconstructed celestial movements. With the birth of Christ being both at an unknown date and in an unknown year there can only be speculation. There is much written on comets: one in 5BC and Halley's comet of 12 BC, but no conclusions.
As to prophecies, until it's happened there won't be evidence. After it's happened we can then evaluate the evidence, but it will be by association of the conjunction that is derived by the use of reason of a making a connection. Are all mental connections between events that we make to rationalize a chaotic world, conspiracy theories?
The Connection to Christ's Prophecy
At the very least the star with its identification with Christ has alerted us to much more certain prophecies!
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2Peter 1:19)
Christ made a prophecy that speaks of our day, that said specifically there were to be signs in the stars.
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:24-27)
With the 'sea and waves' roaring as symbols of the people of nations and the 'powers of heaven' as rulers, we see today the world in a state that fits this desciption.
