What Was the Star of Bethlehem?

The Magi, the Prophecies, and the Star from Matthew 2

In Matthew 2 we read about wise men known as Magi following a star from Persia to Judea in search of the Christ child. The Magi were King makers who studied many ancient writings 600 years earlier. The Jews had been exiled into Babylon and then Persia so these Magi had the Hebrew prophecies foretelling the birth of the King.

Moses said a Star shall come out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. And Daniel a prophet revered by the Persians wrote about when this Would happen. The Magi came to Jerusalem and said where is he who has been born King of the Jews?

For we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him since the prophecies were Hebrew. They assumed any Jew would know where to go. But Israel was so far from God. King Herod had to consult his own wise men to know what the Magi were talking about.

The Star That Led to Bethlehem

The Magi followed the star until it came to rest over the place where the child was and they found Jesus in Bethlehem. Just as the scripture said the Magi worshipped him with gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh.

Why the Star Was Not a Natural Phenomenon

Much speculation has been made about the star of Bethlehem searching history for some kind of astral phenomena. The most popular theory is that the star was a Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in August of 3 BC and again in June a year later.

But that's not a very bright idea. According to Matthew the star was always ahead of them and it moved stopping over the house where Jesus was. Clearly there's no natural explanation. The Magi were led by something Supernatural and so are we to worship Christ the Lord when we understand the text?