Screen capture from Rick Larsen’s ‘The Star of Bethlehem‘ video showing Jupiter moving back and forth (red line) across Regulus in the constellation of Leo in September of 3 B.C.
It is no longer a mystery that Jesus was not actually born on the day we celebrate Christmas, December 25th. The selection of December 25th had more to do with the interest in taking back a time period that had long been dedicated to pagan ceremonies regarding the winter solstice.
Looking for the birth of Jesus in December raises some questions. First, sheep in the region of Bethlehem were kept out in the fields from approximately April to October; winter was not a time when shepherds would be out with the flocks. Second, Bethlehem was the location for the raising of lambs for use as part of Temple sacrifice–and the lamb birthing season was in the spring. So, it would make more sense for us to think that Jesus would be born in the same season as these sacrificial lambs. And third, it was also unlikely that Caesar Augustus would call for a census during the harsh winter months.
To many, spring remains a more logical time for the birth of Christ. As such, it is interesting to note that Clement of Alexandria circa 200 A.D. recorded a belief present at the time that Jesus was also born in the spring, with dates falling in the March/April/May timeframe.
In today’s world, we now have astronomy software that will allow us to see the night sky at any point in history, so we can actually look back in time to try and see the signs in heavens that signaled the birth of the Messiah.
Rick Larsen has done exactly this in his video ‘The Star of Bethlehem’ available on his website.
Rick first takes a look at what the Magi viewed from their vantage point in Babylon. These astrologers were associated with Zoroastrianism and viewed as being shaped by Daniel, as he became the head of the wise men in Persia. The Magi, as they monitored the night sky, witnessed a star rising in the east announcing a king had been crowned in association with the Tribe of Judah.
Rick Larsen’s ‘The Star of Bethlehem‘ video.
The Magi would have seen the motion of Jupiter — the Planet of Kings – appear to draw a circle above Regulus — the Star of Kings and watched this culminate in September of 3 BC. What they observed were Jupiter and Regulus in close proximity to each other as part of a conjunction. As such, Jupiter travels back and forth across Regulus three times, which would be interpreted as drawing a halo or crown.
This is happening in the constellation of Leo – which represents Judah. The symbol of The Tribe of Judah is the lion. Jesus is referred to as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. So, Jupiter has been crowning Regulus in the constellation of Leo. The Magi would have understood that they were witnessing a coronation.
And then another sign occurred – a woman clothed with the sun.
According to Rick, the sun in the constellation Virgo is possible during a 20-day period (August 27 to September 15) for 3 B.C. – but with the moon under her feet this further narrows it down to an 81-minute period at twilight on only one day…and this is the only day in 3 B.C. when this could occur. This date is Tishri 1 on the Jewish Calendar and is marked by a new moon (sliver). Tishri is the month of September. And notably, Tishri 1 was Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets.
So, what we have on the 1st of Tishri of 3 B.C. is Jupiter crowning Regulus in Leo, then up rises Virgo clothed with the sun and the new moon at her feet – and this occurs on Rosh Hosannah, the feast of trumpets, the day you announce a new king. And the 1st of Tishri is the first day of the Jewish calendar, it is the start of the new year.
In his analysis of this day, Rick makes a very interesting point. This is the time of conception. This is the moment when Mary is now pregnant. Life begins at conception, and on the day of trumpets God has announced the life of a new king. For the actual birth of Jesus, we now have to look nine months later, to the second critical moment…because this is the time when we see the alignment that we refer to as the Christmas Star.
Nine months later brings us to the spring of 2 BC. By June, Jupiter had finished crowning Regulus and had traveled on towards another rendezvous. Jupiter now moved in conjunction with Venus. Venus is the mother planet and was now joined by Jupiter, the king planet. These two planets moved so close together that they became one to the naked eye – and this combination resulted in a brightness that no one alive at that time had ever seen before.
It is likely that this incredible light in the night sky started the Magi on their journey west.
Rick estimate’s that they arrived sometime in November of 2 BC giving them the time to travel the 700 miles to Jerusalem. As the Biblical account states, they would encounter Herod and then proceed to Bethlehem. Now they would see the third critical moment and final sign in the sky – a star that appears to stop.
As the Magi head towards Bethlehem, they see Jupiter do something new – it stops.
The software model shows Jupiter reaches a full stop in its travels through the stars and it appears to have stopped directly over Bethlehem. The Magi finally arrive in Bethlehem, and incredibly, the date is now December 25th of 2 B.C. Here the Magi encounter a toddler and proceed to give Him gifts – because He is the king proclaimed by the stars. From Rick Larsen’s analysis we find the birth of the Savior in the Spring of 2 B.C. – probably May or June, and then amazingly the Magi arrive in Bethlehem when Jupiter comes to a stop on of all days — December 25th.
It is remarkable that the Magi might have actually arrived in Bethlehem on the day that in our current world we have been celebrating as Christmas Day.
So, from Rick Larsen’s work, we see that the woman clothed with the sun star sign announced the life of a new king, when Jupiter crowned Regulus and that was the moment when the stars proclaimed conception – the life of the new king had begun. This occurred at only one time in 3 B.C. – the first of Tishri, which is Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets. The month of Tishri is the month of September in our current calendar…and the first day of Tishri is identified in this analysis as, of all days, September 11th.
Given that we then see the woman clothed with the sun astronomical alignment occurring in 2017, it does perhaps give more reason to not simply dismiss this sign, especially given the events that would occur not only in that year, but also in the seven-year period to follow.
Regardless, the increase in knowledge of our time has led to a better understanding of the possible chronology regarding the birth of Jesus.
But other breakthroughs have occurred today as well…including the identification of an archeological site that a great part of the world refuses to believe could actually be real.
Next – Chapter 18: Noah’s Ark
