Star of Bethlehem facts for kids

Adoration of the Magi by Giotto di Bondone (1267–1337). The Star of Bethlehem is shown as a comet above the child. Giotto saw Halley's Comet in 1301.

The Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Christmas Star, is a special star mentioned in the Bible. In Christian stories, this star guided the Magi (wise men) to find Jesus after he was born.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the star first led the wise men to Jerusalem. There, they met King Herod and asked where the new "king of the Jews" had been born. Herod's helpers told them that the Messiah (a special leader) was expected to be born in Bethlehem. This was based on an old prophecy from the Book of Micah.

As the wise men traveled to Bethlehem, they saw the star again. It stopped over the place where Jesus was. The wise men found Jesus with his mother, Mary. They honored him and gave him valuable gifts. After their visit, they went back to their own country.

Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign from God. It showed the world that Jesus Christ had been born. Scientists have also suggested different ideas for what the star might have been. Some ideas include a nova (a new bright star), a planet, a comet, or a conjunction (when planets appear very close together).

Some experts believe the story of the star might not be a real historical event. They think it could be a symbolic part of the Bible story. The Star of Bethlehem is a popular topic in planetarium shows around Christmas. However, the Bible suggests the wise men visited Jesus several months after his birth. This visit is often celebrated on Epiphany (January 6) in Western Christian countries. In Eastern Christian countries, it is celebrated on Christmas (December 25).

The Story in the Bible

The Gospel of Matthew tells us about the wise men. They are often called "wise men" but were likely astronomers or astrologers. They came to King Herod in Jerusalem. They told him about a star that showed the birth of the "King of the Jews."

The Bible says:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem. They asked, Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this, he was worried. All of Jerusalem was worried with him. He called together all the chief priests and teachers of the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born.

Herod was worried because a new "king of the Jews" meant the Messiah had arrived. The Messiah was a leader promised in old Jewish writings. So, Herod asked his advisors where this Messiah would be born. They told him Bethlehem, the hometown of King David. This was based on what the prophet Micah had said. Herod then told this to the wise men.

The Bible continues:

Then Herod secretly called the wise men. He found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. After they had heard the king, they left. The star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them. It stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with very great joy.

Matthew's Gospel suggests the wise men knew the "king of the Jews" had been born even before they reached Jerusalem. They gave Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh as gifts. The wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So, they went back to their own country by a different road.

When Herod realized the wise men had tricked him, he became very angry. He ordered all boy babies in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger to be killed. Joseph, Jesus's stepfather, was warned in a dream to escape. He took his family to Egypt to keep them safe. The Gospel connects this escape to an old Bible verse: "Out of Egypt I called My Son." This verse was originally about the Jewish people leaving Egypt, led by Moses. This connection suggests that Matthew saw Jesus's life as similar to the story of the Jewish people. After Herod died, God told Joseph to bring his family back from Egypt. They settled in Nazareth in Galilee.

What Year Was Jesus Born?

One way to understand the Star of Bethlehem is to figure out when Jesus was born. Matthew's Gospel says Jesus was born when Herod was king. Historians believe Herod died shortly after a lunar eclipse. This eclipse is often thought to be the one on March 13, 4 BC. Also, coins from the rulers who came after Herod show their rule began in 4 BC. Because of this, most people think Herod died in 4 BC. However, some still have different ideas about the exact year.

Possible Explanations

Fulfilling an Old Prophecy

For a long time, many people believed that the movements of stars were connected to important events on Earth. Miracles were often thought to happen when important people were born.

The Star of Bethlehem is often linked to a special prophecy in the Book of Numbers:

I see Him, but not now;

I behold Him, but not near;

A Star shall come out of Jacob;

A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,

And batter the brow of Moab,

And destroy all the sons of tumult.

By the time the Gospels were written, many people thought this prophecy was about the coming of a Messiah. For example, the historian Josephus mentioned it, though he thought it was about the Roman Emperor Vespasian.

The Star in Art

Many paintings and other artworks about the wise men's visit include the star. In a famous painting by Giotto di Bondone, the star looks like a comet. In a tapestry about the Magi, designed by Edward Burne-Jones, an angel holds the star.

Christmas Songs

The Star of Bethlehem is often mentioned in Christmas songs. For example, the song We Three Kings has these words:

O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Images for kids

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  Adoration of the Magi, Chartres Cathedral, France, 16th century.

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  Adoration of the Magi, by Jean Fouquet (15th century). The Star of Bethlehem is in the top right.

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  A zodiac from a 6th-century mosaic at a synagogue in Beit Alpha, Israel.

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  Woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1860.

See also

In Spanish: Estrella de Belén para niños