The Christmas "Star"

Normally, December 21st is merely the date of the winter solstice.  It heralds the end of Fall and the beginning of Winter in the northern hemisphere.   The solstice signals the sun's rebirth.  It notes the longest night of the year.  Thereafter, the days start getting longer with more much-coveted sunlight.

As the year 2020 is coming to a close, we had a very unique event that occured - a gift that could be viewed as a signal of hope; the "Christmas Star" or the "Star of Bethlehem".    Technically speaking, it is called the "Solstice Star" or the "Great Conjuction".

This conjunction is an astronomical appluse of Jupiter and Saturday that occurs every twenty years.  However, this year it's quite a bit different and much more special.   The two large gaseous giant planets seemingly aligned (from our point of view here on Earth, the two heavenly bodies appeared to be 0.1° from each other), creating what looks to be a large radiant star.  It is said to be viewable for the week, appearing in the Southwestern skies, about 45 minutes after sunset, but most viewable on Monday, the 21st.

This cosmic Christmas miracle hasn't been seen in about 800 years - roughly the year 1226.  Prior to that, it's theorized that this Christmas Star was present around the timeframe of Jesus' birth.  The theories are within years of his birth and it's impossible to confirm what could have actually happened two millenia ago.    I like to think that God's planets aligned, creating this star, and perhaps it was truly the Star of Bethlehem, leading the wise men to Jesus in a manger.    :-)

Here's what the "star" looked like from our view:

Here's a story I copied from Facebook.... and what I [like to] imagine it looked like all those years ago:

"In the year when Jesus was born, there was violence, chaos, political and social unrest.  It was dark.  The magi found him by the way of the star, which was the meeting of three planets; Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars.  They followed the star until it rested on where he was and they began to worship him.  In a time where it was dark, light was brought to our world.  Jesus stepped into the chaos and brought peace.  

Fast forward to 2020.  It's a time of violence, chaos, political and social unrest.  It is dark.  Winter Solstice, December 21st, is the shortest day and the longest night.  It's literally the darkest day and is the beginning of what most would say the cold, dark winter season.  But on the darkest day this year, Jupiter and Saturn meet, giving us the "Christmas Star"!  How fitting... that in the moment of time during the Christmas season we get to see this beautiful reminder... that even in the darkest of times, light will - and has - stepped in.  In our chaos, He is there.  In our darkest time, He is there.  He brings light and makes all things new.  So as you look out on the Christmas Star, may we be reminded of His power and His Light that He brings for all mankind.  He is perfect at stepping into chaos and bringing it into peace."