Stars Above!

Good morning!

In this, my last Christmas-related post, I want to share with you a resource I've run across that you might find helpful in your resplendent walk.

Yesterday we were looking at the visit by the Parthian wise men, who followed the star to find Jesus. That reminded me of a documentary I saw last year, one which I ordered in DVD format.  I went to find it on my bookshelf and watched it again last night.  It is called, "The Star of Bethlehem".  I'd highly recommend your ordering and watching it, if learning more about this biblical phenomenon interests you as it does me.  It lasts about an hour and is available from Amazon for under $10.  Make sure you get the one by Frederick Larson.

Who is Frederick Larson anyway and why did he produce this documentary in 2012?  It is such an odd story!  He is a conservative Christian, a lawyer by profession, who wanted to teach the new members of his congregation about the birth of Christ.  Inevitably, the Star of Bethlehem figured into their discussion.  He began to dig around to find out more about this astronomical phenomenon.  This documentary is about what he found.

"He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name", the Bible says (Psalm 147:4).
And, similarly, Isaiah testifies in Isaiah 40:26 - -

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

There exists computer software today which can "go back in time" --- show the night sky hundreds of years ago, with extreme precision.  This is because the universe is very mathematically laid out. The astronomer, Kepler, discovered the mathematical formulas which govern the universe in the 1600s. He used those formulas to chart the movements of the heavenly bodies.

Until recently, the ability to study the star positions of the past with such precision has eluded modern man.  But now, we can plug Kepler's math into computer software, which can do the "figuring" for us.  Now, it is possible to go back and view the night sky of, for example, 2 B.C. and to see what the wise men, these learned astronomers, actually saw from their home in Parthia.

Did you not ever wonder how these men knew to "follow the star" 700 miles west to Judea?!

I need to make a distinction here.  You may think that I am talking about astrology, which is the belief that the stars determine our future.  Consulting a constellation or star chart or even the daily horoscope in the newspaper as a guide for your daily living is placing something else into God's rightful place in your life. Reading horoscopes and other astrological practices should be avoided because they are a form of "star worship". Studying astronomy is a different practice altogether.  Mr. Larson elaborates on this distinction in his documentary.

You may be wondering why God chose an attorney to receive this revelation, regarding the Star of Bethlehem.  Mr. Larson wonders the same thing.  However, many distinguished scientists and theologians have validated his work.  Their endorsements are listed on his website: bethlehemstar.net

Mr. Larson went on to look at the arrangement of the heavenly bodies at the time of Jesus' crucifixion and compare what he saw to passages in the New Testament.  It is a truly astounding study.  After taking a look at his work, this passage has new meaning for me:

1The heavens declare the glory of God;

the sky displays his handiwork.

2Day after day it speaks out;

night after night it reveals his greatness.

3There is no actual speech or word,

nor is its voice literally heard.

4Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth;

its words carry to the distant horizon.

Psalm 19:1-4 (NET)

I won't give any more away about his findings, here in this blog.  But, if you are interested, check it out on his website, listed above.

Father, you reveal Yourself to us through Your Word, and through Your creation, both of which exist in perfect harmony.  Your Word brought the stars into being, and today they continue to testify of your greatness.  From the moment You spoke the universe into existence You knew that Your Son would have to be born, to live and to die for the fallen creation that You had not yet even created! You are truly an amazing God, One so far beyond our limited understanding!  Thank you for revealing Yourself to us so that we might know You more and love You to the limit of our ability to do so.  In Jesus' name, amen.