Was the star of Bethlehem a UFO?

Several experts have considered the idea that it was a device operated by intelligent beings due to its apparent guided trajectory.

Following a mysterious sign in the sky, a number of academics have traveled to the Palestinian town of Bethlehem. It is the balmy spring of the fourth or fifth year before our age, and a narrative is being written that will affect billions of people for the next two thousand years. These sages are aware that they had traveled for more than three months from their faraway homeland, Mesopotamia, to their current location. (Star of Bethlehem)

A path that was plagued by obstacles and problems of all types, but from which it was always apparent where they had to depart. There was something in the sky that pointed the way: some would later call it a star, but others claimed it was something else, one of those lights that occasionally emerge in the sky and travel across it. A brilliant light that showed where they needed to go, followed them as they moved, and remained still when they stopped. A weird light that, according to many, would be referred to be a UFO if it were to be named.

These Eastern sages observed a mysterious light that had suddenly emerged in the sky from their observatories and decided to pursue it. The light followed them each day and, upon reaching the Mediterranean, halted over Jerusalem. There, these wise men talked with the king and stated that the purpose of their journey was to pay honor to the newborn heir, the new monarch.

Afterwards, the magicians retraced the light's path through the sky until it halted above the little village located around 7 kilometers from Jerusalem. That indicated that his vacation had come to an end. There was the selected one there. "When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod, magicians from the East came to Jerusalem asking, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews?' Since we have seen his star in the East, we have come to adore him. (The Bethlehem Star)

This is the first mention of the star of Bethlehem in the Gospel of Matthew. An reference that complements a few paragraphs later, when, following the magicians' audience with King Herod, the biblical text states: "Look, the star they had seen in the East preceded them until they arrived at the place where the Child was." As they spotted the star, they were filled with immense happiness. What might be the light that seemed to lead them intelligently during their entire journey? (The Bethlehem Star)

Many potential explanations have been proposed, ranging from astrological alignments to uncommon astronomical events like meteorites, novae stars, and comets, passing through magnificent planetary conjunctions. Yet none of these explanations can account for the peculiar behavior of the star that directed the Magi from the East. A act that several academics have deemed intelligent without hesitation.

Not only did the star of Bethlehem point the way, but it also stopped twice to indicate where they needed to stop: first on Jerusalem, and then on Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. Its behavior could only be explained if it were subject to intelligent control, as there is no natural occurrence that can account for it. No natural explanation matches the description of the star of Bethlehem if the biblical account is accepted as true. (The Bethlehem Star)

Impracticable theories

In popular culture, the star of Bethlehem is shown as a large comet with its characteristic tail. Mostly thanks to Giotto's 1304 painting The Adoration of the Magi, in which it is unmistakably depicted as a big comet. The bright look of the photograph obtained by the Italian artist was most likely inspired only three years before Comet Halley's 76-year visit to Earth. According to historical accounts, its apparition in 12 B.C. was stunning, with a magnitude of 1 similar to that of the brightest stars.

Nevertheless, this occurrence occurred decades before Jesus' birth. Chinese astronomers meticulously documented the arrival of two comets at around the same time as the Earth was created. In March and April of 5 BC, a comet with an exceptionally long tail was visible in the constellation now known as Capricorn. In April of the following year, a second comet was spotted, this time in the constellation of the Eagle, but with less brilliance than its predecessor. (The Bethlehem Star)

Was a comet Bethlehem's star?

Comets are well-known stars that are distinguished from stars, which are referenced in the Gospels, and, of course, do not represent a precise location. In addition, the apparent status of bodies placed outside our globe does not alter for those who are going through it. It is inconceivable for someone like this to provide such specific directions, even stopping over a tiny settlement.

The same may be stated of a new star, another of the supposed reasons for the star of Bethlehem, as it is plain that the apparent position of a star located at such a great distance from Earth does not vary for a traveler, much less halt at a specific location. Other occurrences such as meteorites and shooting stars, as postulated by the well-known British astronomer Patrick Mooreo, do not appear to be an adequate explanation. It is impossible to believe that these fairly common and transient occurrences were the source of what the Magi observed. (The Bethlehem Star)

A conjunction of several planets, such as those that occurred between Jupiter and Saturn in 7 B.C., does not explain the phenomenon described in the biblical text: they are ephemeral phenomena, lasting only a few hours, and could not have served as a guide for travelers who traversed thousands of kilometers over the course of several months. In addition, it is important to remember that travel was typically conducted during the day, when it is almost impossible to detect a comet or star.

And, of course, if there had been a new star so brilliant that it could be seen in broad daylight, it would have been a phenomenon of such magnitude that it would have been documented in writing across the world. But no one, save the Eastern wizards, saw any anomalies in the firmament. What do you think? Give us your Comment! 😉 (The Bethlehem Star)