Throughout history, the minds of scholars and other people have been occupied by the star of Bethlehem. There are many kinds of guesses and comprehensions about the star of Bethlehem. In this writing, we go through various theories connected to the star of Bethlehem and the teachings of the Bible on this matter. This writing also handles taxing decree of Caesar Augustus, the enigma of Bethlehem's star and the birth of Jesus and the message of His birth.

Taxing decree of Caesar Augustus

The gospel of Luke chapter two tells that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. The gospel of Luke tells that this taxing occurred under the governing of Syria by Cyrenius (Quirinus). The gospel of Luke tells that this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. “First taxing” means first taxing wherein the Jews participated, not first taxing of Roman Kingdom ever. “All the world” means empire of Rome and nations subordinate to it, not all of the inhabited world.

Seutonius, a Roman Historian (75-100 A.D) wrote that Caesar Augustus carried out the census (taxing) in the empire of Rome. Tacitus, also a Roman Historian (55-120 A.D) wrote that Caesar Augustus carried out taxes. Jewish Historian Josephus (35-100 A.D) wrote that Cyrenius, who had been consul, was sent by Caesar to take account of people's effects in Syria. Josephus also wrote that Cyrenius came himself into Judea, which was now added to the province of Syria, to take an account of their substance.

The gospel of Luke tells that taxing occurred at the time when Cyrenius was the governor of Syria. In original text is not a word “was”, but rather the word “became”. Original text says that taxing occurred in the time of Cyrenius, who became governor of Syria. Cyrenius was not the governor of Syria when he carried out taxing, but later he became governor of Syria. Luke wrote (and meant) that Cyrenius became governor of Syria, because Luke wrote his gospel afterwards when these things occurred. Taxing occurred before Cyrenius was governor of Syria, and later he became governor of Syria.

Historian Josephus mentions that Cyrenius had been consul (governor) earlier before he was sent to Judaea for taxing. Because Caesar Augustus sent Cyrenius to take care of taxing in Judaea, does this mean he had been earlier a consul in that region? Was it for this reason Caesar sent him to that region - because the region, and its habits would be familiar to him? We do not know this for sure, but the history says that Cyrenius had been consul before he was sent taking care of taxing in Judaea.

People who are attacking the message of the Bible very often say that the Bible message is erroneous, because at the time of Jesus' birth Cyrenius was not the governor of Syria, although the Bible says so. We must understand that in the translations of the Bible, it has been written that way, but not in the original text. In the light of original text, we learn that Cyrenius was not the governor of Syria, but later he became the governor of Syria. Maybe Caesar Augustus rewarded Cyrenius for the good work he had done in Judaea, when he carried out taxing there and for this reason nominated him as governor of Syria. However, very important is to know that the Bible (original text) tells correctly that Cyrenius was not the governor of Syria, but that he later became the governor of Syria.

The birth of Jesus

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with the child.

The gospel of Luke tells us that Mary was pregnant, and bore Jesus in Bethlehem at such a season when shepherds were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Traditional viewpoint says that Jesus was born in December, but this comprehension is not true. In December, it was very cold in Israel, especially at night times. There could even be snow on the ground and little frost during nighttimes. According to this evidence December can't be the time of Jesus' birth, because there was too cold for shepherds to guard sheep in the field at the night time.

In the winter season, it would be impossible to order taxing in the land of Israel, because people would be required to travel all over the land in the cold weather. The route from Nazareth to Bethlehem was over one hundred kilometers (over 62 miles). Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have lasted three days, and winter season would be a very bad time to travel. This also supports the fact that the taxing and the birth of Jesus did not take place in December.

We can see from the Bible that Jesus was born six years before John the Baptist was born. John's father Zacharias was serving as a priest in the temple in Abia's course. According to accurate calculating the course of Zacharias was in the fourth month and after that he went his home and according to the gospel of Luke at that time Elisabeth (John's mother) became pregnant about in the beginning of the fifth month. From this we can count that the time of Jesus' birth was, according to Jewish calendar approximately at the time of the feasts of the tabernacles, which according to our calendar is between September and October. It is very probable that Jesus was born at the time of the feasts of the tabernacles.

Jesus was dressed to swaddling clothes and was set to animals feeding crib

The gospel of Luke tells that there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the inn. This means that Mary bore Jesus either animal stable or some house’s lower level. The Jewish house in the time of Jesus has the upper level, where people lived and lower level, where animals lived. The gospel of Luke tells that when Mary delivered Jesus, so she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and put Him in a "manger". Jewish custom was that newborn infant was put in swaddling clothes. Swaddling clothes were bands where the infant was bound very tight, that he couldn't move. This "swaddling cloth" was made for the reason that child would come strong and health and that his feet would come straight. In the gospel of Luke in the original text is word phone, which means the animals’ feeding crib. The word phatne derives from the word pateomai, which means eating. This confirms that Jesus was born in animals stable or some house’s lower level, where animals lived. They didn't put Jesus in the cradle, but to animals feeding crib.

Announcement of angel

When the time of Jesus's birth came, an angel told the shepherds who were in the field, (keeping the night watch over their flock) the good tidings of a great joy that shall be to all people:

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

The sign which angel gave was very unusual, because he said to the shepherds that the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord had been born in the city of David. Where they would find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in an animal feeding crib. It was very unusual to put a newborn child to the animal feeding crib, because usually he was put in a cradle. The sign which was set by God was such that they would not be mistaken about the identity of the Saviour - the Messiah and the Lord.

The Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord

An angel proclaimed good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Original text is the word euaggelizo, which means to bring good news, to announce glad tidings and the glad tidings of God's salvation (preach the gospel).

Comprehension about preaching of good tidings was very familiar to the Jews, because the Scriptures tell about this:

Isa 52:7 ¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings (basar), that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings (basar) of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

In the book of Isaiah chapter 52 and verse 7 are words good tidings, which is in Hebrew basar, which means to bear the news, bear tidings and to announce (preach) salvation as good news. Isaiah 52:7 tells about God's salvation, which proclaims peace and announces the good tidings (the Gospel) and says to Zion that God is the King. Isaiah 52:7 says about the Lord Jesus, who is the King and the Saviour. In the gospel of Luke's chapter two angel said: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The Lord Jesus is He, who brings peace to the heart of the people after they have confessed their sins to God and received God's salvation, Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

The Angel said that Jesus is the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord. Next we look over and watch that what those words mean.

The Saviour. The Saviour word is in Hebrew yasha, which means Saviour. Jesus is the Saviour and the salvation of God, which God has prepared to the era of the New Covenant. Through Jesus, we can obtain the gift of God's salvation.

The Messiah. The word Christ is in Greek Khristos, which the Jews translated meant the Messiah in Greek OT translation of the Septuagint. The Messiah is in Hebrew Mashiach (the Messiah and anointed). Jesus is the Messiah, who reconciles sins of those people who confess their sins to God. Jesus is the Messiah, who is the only way to God.

The Lord. Jesus is also the Lord. The word Lord is in Hebrew Yhvh. In the gospel of John chapter 17 says that Father God has given for His Son His own name (name of the Father) and therefore the Bible says that Jesus is the Lord (Yhvh).

The Angel said that Jesus is the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord. All those words describe God, who saves His nation and is the God of His nation. The announcement of the angel was very remarkable, because God came in Jesus the Messiah to this world to bring freedom from the bondage of sins and satan, and He gives eternal life to those people who believe that Jesus is the Lord and the Messiah.

Isa 61:
1 ¶ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings (basar) unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

The book of Isaiah chapter 61 teaches that the Messiah is He, who proclaims good tidings (the gospel) to the world. In the gospel of Luke chapter 4 the Lord Jesus says that He is the Messiah, about which Isaiah 61 tells. The Lord Jesus is the Messiah, who preaches the gospel in the world, and He has given the task to His disciples - to preach the gospel in the entire world.

The gospel to meek ones. According to the teaching of the book of Isaiah chapter 61 the gospel is preached to the meek ones, and this means those people who hear the gospel and confess their sins and believe in Jesus the Messiah. They are “the meek ones” and receive the salvation of God, but proud and self-righteous people desire not to receive the free gift, the salvation of God in Jesus the Messiah. Proverbs 28 says that: He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. Isaiah 26 says: Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. A meek person is of the kind that confesses his sins to God and understands that he needs grace and mercy of God and salvation in Jesus the Messiah, because he cannot earn the salvation by his own works. The gospel is preached to all people, but only the meek ones become humble and receive the salvation in Jesus the Messiah.

Binding up of the brokenhearted. Mission of Jesus the Messiah is to bind up the brokenhearted, which means that Jesus the Messiah heals the mind and way of thinking of the people whose minds sin has completely broken. Hebrew word (lev), means inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding. Mission of Jesus the Messiah and the gospel are saving the man from the slavery of sins and satan to eternal life, but also to heal the mind, which sin has broken and deceived. The minds of the people shall be healed when they receive forgiveness of sins and allow God to change their minds in accordance with the will of God.  

Proclaim liberty to the captives. The mission of the Lord Jesus is proclaiming freedom from sins to people who are bound and imprisoned with many chains of sins. The Lord Jesus sets those people free from sins, who confess their sins and want to be freed from their sins. People cannot be freed from slavery of sin by their own power. Therefore, the Lord Jesus was born and reconciled our sins by His death. Lord Jesus gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and to learn to live and grow according to the will of God in this world.

Proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. In the old covenant time, there was a jubilee year, a year when slaves were liberated and freedom was proclaimed to all the people of Israel. In the old covenant animal offerings and all offerings must be acceptable to the Lord. Acceptable animal offering, blood, brought forgiveness of sins. In the old covenant, it was also acceptable (unto God) that the nation of Israel would obey the commandments of God.

The acceptable year of the Lord is when the Lord Jesus shed His blood for our sins and brought atonement and forgiveness of sins by His blood, death and resurrection. Because of the acceptable year and the atonement of the Lord Jesus sinful people can receive the grace of God. God forgives sins to those who repent of their sins and want to forsake their sins - they shall receive the grace of God. The offering of the Lord Jesus on the Calvary brings eternal atonement and forgiveness of sins, and His offering is acceptable to the Lord God. Acceptance is when Jesus' disciples want to obey the commandments of God and live by the order of the New Covenant, out of the grace of God. The Lord God shall have "revenge", in other words, punish sinners who do not wish to repent. Lord God allows evildoers go to eternal damnation, which they have themselves chosen.

Comfort all that mourn. In the book of Isaiah chapter 61 verse 2 is word mourn, which is in Hebrew abel, which means mourning because of death and calamity. The Lord Jesus was born because He wants to comfort His nation that has undergone and suffered the death of it’s member’s relatives or close ones. Lord Jesus was born because He wishes to comfort His nation that has undergone great calamity or distress. The gospel has many kinds of faces, the gospel proclaims forgiveness of sins and comfort in various grieves and sorrows.

The book of Isaiah chapter 61 tells more about the deeds of the Messiah for His nation. Those who are sorrowful among the nation of God, Jesus the Messiah brings the oil of joy and the garment of praise, which puts an end mourning. Praising means in the first place that Jesus' disciple learns in his heart to praise the kindness and love of God. In this world where we live is many kinds of things, which bring depression to the heart of the man. Lord Jesus has come for that reason - He wants to remove depression from the heart of His nation and in place of depression He gives the mind of praise and joy. The Lord Jesus makes His nation the “trees of righteousness” and “planting of joy” so that the Lord God might be glorified. The real gospel glorifies God and tells about forgiveness of sins, eternal life by believing in Jesus the Messiah, and that new life which God brings, that praise and exalts for the great works of God.

And it happened as the angels departed from them into the heaven, even the men, the shepherds, said to one another, Indeed, let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this thing, which has occurred, which the Lord made known to us. And hurrying, they came and sought out both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the animal feeding crib as the angel has told them. And seeing, they publicly said about the word spoken to them about this Child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. However, Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them. The message wasn't birth of a child, but it that to the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord had been born into the world; God has come down to the world of men in the Lord Jesus; and he who believes in Jesus the Messiah receives forgiveness of sins and eternal life. And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, His name was called “Jesus”, the name called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. The name Jesus is in Hebrew Yehoshua (Yeshua), which means God is salvation. The name of the Lord Jesus tells the purpose why He was born to this world. Lord Jesus was born to save sinners and bring salvation to them and forgiveness of sins by believing in Him. This is the gospel and the great grace of God.
 

Wise men from the east

The gospel of Matthew chapter 2 also tells about the birth of Jesus. Matthew 2 tells that Jesus already was born when the wise men from the east had come to Jerusalem. The wise men said: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

Tradition says that there were three wise men from the east, but the Bible doesn't reveal their number. There could be several tens of them, but we don't know the accurate number, because the Bible doesn't tell it. When we look from Israel straight to the east, we see Babylon, Persia and the farthest out, China. The wise men said that they have seen the star in their homeland and that this star is the star of king of the Jews, and that they came to worship this King. It is a very interesting that they have seen this star in their homeland (east) and have followed it as far as to Jerusalem.

This means that wise men from the east knew astrology for sure, and that they examined the stars. Babylonians and Persians examined stars, and they also practiced astrology. It is very probable that wise men from the east came from Babylon or Persian. Original text uses word ”magos” for the “wise men”. Magos was a term, which Babylonians, Chaldeans, Medes and Persians used. Magos means teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, sorcerers, etc. Wise men (magos/magoi) were very high qualified men in their homeland, who probably were astrologers and among them were also priests, teachers and other qualified men. However, quite sure is that among them were men who have the ability to understand stars and figures of the starry sky and constellation.

The wise men had seen "a star" or phenomenon of the constellation, which they interpreted thus that a great king of the Jews shall be born. Constellation and their astrology told them this matter and for this consequence, they followed this phenomenon. Distance from Babylonian and Persian to Jerusalem is about 600-1200 kilometers (380-750 miles). Wise men from the east traveled about one or two months or even for a longer time. Tradition tells that wise men came at the time of Jesus' birth to stable where Jesus was. However, this is only the tradition and is not true. The Bible says in the gospel of Matthew that Jesus already was born when wise men came to Jerusalem and from Jerusalem, these wise men traveled to Bethlehem.

What year was Jesus born?

The Bible doesn't tell the precise date of Jesus' birth. The Bible, however, refers to historical occurrences that King Herod ruled during that time when Jesus was born. Current historians place the death of King Herod between the years 4-1 BC according to current calendar. The Bible records that wise men from the east (magos) met King Herod before his death. The Bible doesn't tell the year when Herod died or how many years Joseph and Mary were in exile in the land of Egypt. We don't know for sure the accurate year of Jesus' birth, because the Bible doesn't tell it. However, the most important is to know that Jesus has been born and why He has been born.

Roman monk Dionysius invented the current calendar about 523 AD, where years were counted before and after birth of Jesus. Dionysius made few errors in his calculations. He didn't count year zero at all. Dionysius counted that 1 AD immediately followed 1 BC, and he was completely disregarding the mathematically required 0 in between. Those days in Europe, the number zero people didn't consider a number. Dionysius accepted the statement of Clemens the Alexandrian, that Jesus was born in the 28th year of the reign of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. Dionysius didn't know that Augustus had ruled first four years by the name Octavianus, until the Senate of Rome proclaimed him as Augustus. Inside there is a four-year error, if the statement of Clemens Alexandrian was right. We know that Jesus wasn't born year 1 according to our calendar. Jesus was born during the years between 7-1 BC. Accurate date and year we don't know, because the Bible doesn't tell it. Date of Jesus' birth is not essential and most important here is the information that Jesus was born into the world as the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord.

The star of Bethlehem

When the king Herod had heard the message of wise men, he was troubled, and all of Jerusalem with him. King Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked of them where the Christ was to be born. And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet: "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." When Herod heard this, he secretly called the wise men, and asked of them exactly the time of the star appearing. And Herod sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When wise men had heard the king, they departed and traveled to Bethlehem, and they saw the star, which they saw in the east. And the star went before them, until the star came and stood over the place where Jesus was.

Throughout history, various guesses have been made concerning the phenomenon called the star of Bethlehem. Astrologers and Bible scholars have estimated that this phenomenon of starry sky had been occurring between the years 7-2 BC. We look over this next.

Comet. Some people assume that the star was a comet, because you can see a comet with your bare eyes for the duration of several weeks; early in the morning, in dusk and night. The comet is an icy lump, which pass near the sun and so its surface begins to melt. When ice melts, gas and dust comes loose from comet and forms the shining “tail”. When the comet approaches very near the sun, the ice begins to melt and vaporize, and then the solar wind begins to blow liberating particles away from the sun and so the dust forms a shining tail, which can be as many as hundred kilometers long.

Supernova. Some people believe that the star was a supernova. Supernova is the explosion of a star. Supernova is very luminous and cause a burst of radiation, which often briefly outshines an entire galaxy, before fading from view over several weeks or months or even a few years.

Planet. Some researchers believe that the star was the conjunction of planets. Conjunction is the occurrence where (as seen from earth) two or more planets appear near one another in the sky. This means that planets circle their orbits and stands near one another as seen from the earth. In this conjunction in the sky, a bright light phenomenon can be seen, because two or more planets are near to each other.

Researchers assume that possible candidates as the star of Bethlehem are many conjunctions:

February year 6 BC was the conjunction of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces, or “the Fishes”. In the year 7 BC was triple or "great conjunction" of Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter appeared to pass one degree north of Saturn on May 29; practically, the same on Sept. 30; then finally a third time on Dec. 5. To the early Israelites, Leo was a constellation of great astrological significance and considered a sacred part of the sky. A very close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter would have been visible in the eastern dawn sky of the Middle East on Aug. 12, 3 BC.

The truth of the star. Present day, we cannot know for sure what was the phenomenon called “the star of Bethlehem”. It could be a natural phenomenon. However, one thing we must observe and understand. The Bible says that when wise men followed the star from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the star stood over the place where Jesus was. The star stopped moving and stood over the house where Jesus was.

If we are looking at the stars in the sky, comet, supernova or a conjunction of planets, it is of course impossible to go under such "star" and navigate straight to the house, which is below the star. We couldn't name a house, over which a star would be “standing over”. Celestial bodies are as seen from the earth at a distance of a million kilometers (miles), and thus it is very impossible to name a house accurately under a specific celestial body. The Bible says that the star stood over the place where Jesus was. This means that "the star" in question must have been so low that it was possible to see accurately and to know the house under “the star”. This means that the “star” in question was a supernatural phenomenon set by God, which could begin in the east as the natural phenomenon, but what became the supernatural phenomenon in Bethlehem where "star" stood accurately over the house where Jesus was. This was at least at its final phase a supernatural phenomenon set by God, which revealed to the wise men where the king of the Jews was to be found, the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord. This was a miracle, a work of God, which we cannot explain scientifically. In the final note, works of God can be understood through faith in Jesus the Messiah. Believing in Jesus is grace/work of God, which God donates to those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus the Messiah.

The Bible says that when the star stood over the place where Jesus was, so wise men rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they went to the house where mother and Jesus were. Wise men fell down, and worshipped Jesus and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. The purpose of wise men was to give a royal gift to King, but they hardly knew what meanings were in those gifts. Gold is the sign and the mark of the king, and Jesus is King of the Jews and King of kings. Frankincense the Jews' priests used in sacrificial offerings. The Lord Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross of Calvary by dying for us, and He is the High Priest of the New Covenant by order of Melchisedek. Myrrh was sweet odor spice and perfume, which was given mixed with wine to those who were condemned to death by crucifixion in the time of Jesus. Jesus the Messiah is our “sweet odor” to God, and Jesus died for our sins on the cross. The wine symbolizes Jesus' blood in the Bible. Myrrh was also as the sign of Jesus' atonement and sufferings. Wine and myrrh described Jesus' atonement blood and His sufferings, which brings atonement and forgiveness of sins to everybody who believe in Jesus the Messiah. This is the great grace of God and the real message of Bethlehem's star.

The star in the book of the old testament. When wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and told about the star and the birth of the king of the Jews, so Herod and all Jerusalem were troubled. It seems that the Jews didn’t have the understanding to read the signs of the sky in the position of the star of Bethlehem, and they didn't see the star, because they were troubled.

Wise men from the east said that the star told of the birth of the king of the Jews. Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and he asked of them where the Messiah was to be born. This event was so unusual that he thought that it had to mean the birth of the Messiah, which the nation of Israel waited. Chief priests, and scribes said to Herod that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea, and He is the ruler who shall rule in Israel.

Nu 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

They didn't want the Messiah. Herod the Great was king of Judaea at the time of Jesus' birth. Herod wasn't a Jew. Herod the Great was the son of Antipater of Idumaea. In 37 BC Herod became the king. Judea was under the power of Rome, and Rome set Herod as the King of Judaea. Herod was in favor of Caesar Octavianus. Herod was a brave and skilled in warfare, highly educated and sagacious, but also very suspicious and very cruel. He destroyed and killed the entire royal family of Hasmonaeans. Herod also killed many Jews, who opposed his government. He also killed his wife Mariamne (Hasmonaean line) and his two sons. Herod was a cruel killer and was pleased to imitate the customs of Rome and its institutions. Herod ordered very burdensome taxes to the Jews. He was in disfavor of the Jews, because of his cruelty to his relatives and to the Jews. Herod the Great tried to gain the favor of the Jews by having the luxurious temple built in Jerusalem and by acts of munificence. Herod didn't succeed in gaining the confidence of the Jews. Herod the Great died at the age of 70 years, when he had ruled as king for 37 years.

Herod was troubled when he heard about the star and the birth of the king of the Jews. Herod had heard the message about the ruler of Israel and of the star, which shall come out of Jacob, because this prophecy was written in the Scriptures (Bible). Herod was frightened and wanted to kill the Messiah, who had been born, because Herod wanted to rule alone in Israel, and there is no space for two kings, so Herod decided to have Jesus killed.

When the Romans governed in Israel, they choose the high priest and also ordained officials who supported and flattered Romans. The high priests and scribes were on the leash of Romans, and they didn't care what the Bible said, because most important to them was maintaining their position and the favor of the Romans. For this reason high priests and scribes were not interested in the Messiah, although they knew the Scriptures about the star and that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Herod wanted to kill the Messiah and high priests and scribes were in the leash of the Romans, and they were not interested about the Messiah. For this reason, they didn't see the star and didn't recognize the moment of the birth of the Messiah.

It is very interesting that heathen astrologers knew when the great king of the Jews would be born. These heathen astrologers wanted to worship Him and for this reason God guided them in a supernatural way to Jesus the Messiah. Wise men from the east didn't arrive at the moment, when Jesus was born and set to the animal feeding crib, but they came later. King Herod asked closely when this Child was to be born and on the basis of it, he ordered to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he asked from the wise men. Arrival of the wise men could be several months after Jesus was born, because Herod concluded that Jesus had been born two years ago or earlier. Herod could maybe ensure and just to make sure to set a time limit so broad. It could be so or not, but quite sure is that the account of the Bible says that wise men were not present when Jesus was born, but they came there much later.

People who recognised the Messiah. Mary (Miriam) and Joseph knew that who Jesus was and also shepherds knew, and they praised God when they have seen Jesus, of whom the angel said that He is the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord.

Although high priests and scribes knew the Scriptures, even so, they weren't interested in the Messiah. Shepherds who were in the fields also were interested in the Messiah, and they praised God for the birth of the Messiah. This is an indication about it that when it is the question about Jesus the Messiah and the salvation, so high theological education is not important, but what is important is that people in their heart believe in Jesus the Messiah. When and if we believe in Jesus the Messiah, after that we can understand the Bible in the way that it has been written.

It is very important to understand that the most important sign in the birth of Jesus was that who He was. Angel said that Jesus is the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord. The most important point in Jesus' birth is that Jesus the Messiah saves man from the power of sin and satan, if we believe in Jesus; Jesus is the Messiah, who forgive sins and give eternal life to him who believe in Him; Jesus is the Lord, who gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to be the children of God. This is the gospel, which is the great grace and love of God towards men.

Christmas and Rome. Year 354 AD Liberius Roman bishop ordered that the official birthday of Jesus Christ is the 25th of December. In Babylon 25th of December was the birthday of Tammuz (dead god). Pagan feasts were very familiar to the Romans, and the Romans didn't want to give up those pagan feasts and for this reason Roman Catholic Church ordered birth of Jesus to be celebrated at a (wrong) time that the Romans would celebrate familiar pagan feasts. Roman Catholic Church replaced the 25th day of December to be the birthday of Jesus, although Jesus was not born 25th of December. Jesus the Messiah was born between the months of September and October. Roman Catholic Church replaced pagan feasts of Mithra and Saturnalia (Roman feast) by setting Jesus's birthday as the 25th of December. Roman Catholic Church left many pagan traditions on their Christmas feast.

In Babylon 25th of December was the birthday of winter solstice and the birthday of Tammuz. Babylonian word "yule" means a child. 25th of December was also called as yule among Anglo-Saxons. Anglo-Saxons were people who lived in the British Isles and spoke Germanic languages. Also in Scandinavia was celebrated feast of Yule, which was on the 25th of December, it was also the day of winter solstice. In Babylon, they called Tammuz by the names of Baal-berith and the lord of the fir-tree. On the 25th of December, both the Egyptians and the Persians celebrated the birthday of their gods. Child sun god has various names like Mithras, Horus, Isvara, Bacchus, Iacchus, Adonis, Attis and so on. Roots of child sun god are in Babylon, where Tammuz was this child. The roots of "divine" birthday the 25th of December are in Babylon, where it has been spread all over the world. Feast of Tammuz Babylonians decorated conifers with round balls, which symbolized the sun. 25th of December they also offered swine at the feast.

Year 394 AD began the ever day mass in Roman Catholic Church. 394 AD between the night of 24th and 25th of December was celebrated the mass of Christ in Roman Catholic Church. In this mass a priest blessed the bread and the wine and according to wrong teaching of Roman Catholic Church, they became Jesus' blood and His body. From this event became the mass of Christ, and they name it as the mass of Christ. From this became also name Christmas.

The Christmas feast is the creation of Roman Catholic Church where it connected two feasts (birth of Tammuz and Saturnalia) to become as one feast. Roman Catholic Church gave Christmas as the name for this new feast. Roman Catholic Church put together elements the Bible and pagan tradition and allowed Roman citizens to celebrate Saturnalia at Christmas time as 25th of December.

The real message of the star of Bethlehem was that the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord had been born, He who brings eternal salvation to all those who believe in Jesus the Messiah. The focus of the message is not a child lying in a manger, but that the Saviour, the Messiah and the Lord had been born to the world. Is Jesus for you a little child in a manger at the "Christmas" time or your Saviour? If you confess your sins to God and believe in the Lord Jesus in your heart, God forgives your sins and gives to you eternal life.