The Star of Bethlehem by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 22, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 12.

The Star of Bethlehem

By Editor

THE question is asked by Prof. Garrett P. Serviss, in the San Francisco Examiner: "Was it Halley's Comet which was the guiding star of Bethlehem?" And any Bible reader can answer just as definitely, "No, it was not." Why it is that men who profess to believe the Bible, will endeavor to fix up some combination of stars, or will suggest or believe that some particular comet must have appeared at that time, is beyond our comprehension. The whole Biblical account is contrary to any such supposition. If the contention was that it was a meteor, there would be some ground for that; but the idea of a comet or a star acting as the light which guided the wise men is preposterous.

That star guided them for days in their journey from the East to Jerusalem; it was not seen when they were counseling with the chief priests and Herod. When they came from that consultation with the king, that star went before them about two miles, out to the little city of Bethlehem, and came and stood over the house where the young Child lay. An utterly preposterous supposition regarding a star or a comet.

Then what was it? By those who believe in God's Word, who believe in angelic ministration, who believe in His miraculous interposition, it can very easily be believed that it was a bright and shining company of heavenly messengers which guided those wise men across the trackless wastes and led them to the very house where the Child appeared. When the mission of those angels was over, their glory became invisible to mortal eyes.