One small problem with this. There is astronomical evidence that Herod
may have died in 1 A.D., January of that year. Herod is reported to
have died after an eclipse of the moon and his successor took office
before the Passover shortly thereafter. One lunar eclipse/Passover time
period which seems to give an appropriate amount of time for the events
that occurred between Herod's death and the taking of the throne by his
successor was listed in the astronomical records on December 29th of 1
B. C., with Herod possibly dying early in 1 A. D. Earlier lunar
eclipse/Passover time periods are inadequate for the task, assuming
Josephus adequately chonicled the events he mentions.

This would also be consistent with other historical facts. One can
pretty much throw out the census mentioned for there was no reason for
the movement to ones historical home to be counted. And it was a census
of Roman citizens, not all conquered peoples.

In 2 B.C., there was an oath of allegiance ordered for citizens and
noncitizens alike to celebrate the silver jubilee of the reign of Caesar
Augustus. This may have been started in 3 B. C., so that the results
would be presented to Caesar at the time of the jubilee or ordered by
Caesar himself to affirm his leadership. So, these two pieces of
evidence point to the year of Jesus' birth as being either 3 or 2 B. C.

Having said this, I would still condend that Matthew likely made the
birth story up in an attempt to convince Jewish leaders of the time that
the person he thought was the Messiah was indeed so.

wrote:
Star of Bethlehem

Any celestial event that is assigned a 'meaning' (beyond physics) is
within the realm of ancient astrology. Astronomy is 'observation' and
astrology is 'interpretation'.

To date, all of the astronomical theories and possibilities have been
thoroughly investigated. All of the astronomical theories are mundane,
however, all astronomical commentators have done a superb investigatory
job probing the window of time (7 BC to 4 BC) and coming up with
possible 'Star of Bethlehem' candidates.

At the time of the birth of Christ astrology and astronomy were the
same 'science'. In fact, the only reason that celestial events and
objects were studied was to try to ascertain what 'meaning' was to be
derived from the observed phenomena.

Christ, according to the New Testament, was born before King Herod
died. Herod's death is a matter of historical account and it occured in
April of 4 BC ( 3 B.C.E. because of no year "0" ).

Additionally, NO ONE but the Magi 'saw' the star.

Also, the 'star that rises in the east' is (also) the Sun. I mention
this because there is a great deal of astrological/astronomical
allegory incorporated into The New Testament account of Christ's birth.
For Instance, 'a star that stopped over a house where the child and his
mother were'.

The star that 'stops' is the sun at a solstice point (solstice means
'sun stationary') and a 'house' is a component of an ancient (and
contemporary) astrological chart. The 'house' of the mother is the
astrological 4th house which begins at the time of the summer solstice.
Some evidence is now forming which indicates a possible
astronomical/astrological allegory.

The Old Testament states that the Messiah/King will be born in
Bethlehem (Hebrew for 'house of bread'). Bread, in astrology is
related to the astrological sign of Virgo (The Virgin). There is
further writing in the Old Testament about a 'star' (asterism, which
may be plural (also) for a collection of or constellation) linked to
the birth of the Messiah/King.

The Persian Magi were highly advanced astronomer/astrologers. By
'highly advanced' I mean being possessed of the knowledge of the entire
solar system as it is encoded in mathematic symbols in the construction
of The Great Pyramid at Giza (2800 BC).
See, http://www.templeofsolomon.org/Pyram..._symbolism.htm
for a virtual mind boggling overview of The Great Pyramid.

With that said, it is my opinion that the Star of Bethlehem was an
astrological event witnessed ONLY by the highly advance Persian Magi.
The 'Star' was (IS) revealed in an ancient astrological chart by the
astrological geometric associations (aspects) of the Sun, Moon and
planets. The chart can be viewed he
http://www.templeofsolomon.org/pageone.htg/pageone.htm

and a comparison of astronomical charts and astrological charts for the

2nd of March 5 BC can be seen he
http://www.templeofsolomon.org/StarofBethlehem-star.htm

It is unimportant if astrology is considered by some to be
'non-science'. The astrological charts have been prepared by employing
methods that were used at the time of the birth of Christ (same as the
western astrological chart of today).


Best Regards,
John Charles Webb, Jr.