The Star of Bethlehem

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 6, 1888

The Star of Bethlehem

Every little while we see inquiries about the "Star of Bethlehem." Sometimes it is claimed that certain astronomers have predicted its early re-appearance, and country newspapers will gravely tell how often it has been seen. Just now Venus is the morning star, and is unusually bright, and wiseacres who get up early in the morning, delude themselves, and try to delude others, that the Star of Bethlehem is now shedding its light upon the earth. The facts are that no astronomer has ever predicted the return of the Star of Bethlehem, and none pretend to know of any such star in the heavens. The star that appeared to the wise men, and guided them to the place of the Saviour's birth, has never been seen since that memorable night when "it came and stood over where the young child was." A little thought would suffice to show anybody that it was not an ordinary star that kept just ahead of the wise men, and finally stood over a little hut so as to distinguish that place from all the other houses in the town. That star was a special light sent by God to guide the devout wise men to the place where Jesus lay.