Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 93:372 (Oct 1936)
Article: The Christmas Star
Author: Eugene D. Owen

BSac 93:372 (Oct 36) p. 473

The Christmas Star

Eugene D. Owen

Decorations for the occasion called Christmas (a contraction of the term Christ-Mass as used in the Roman Catholic Church), which was long ago designated as the time to commemorate the birth of Christ, have become highly conventionalized; but in the early use of the various elements of design, this was not the case. Some of the objects, as the yule log, the tree, holly, mistletoe, and others, have no Christian significance, but have merely become associated with Christmas because they were associated with pagan festivals which occurred at about the same time of year, and the mediaeval church took them over while it was Christianizing the pagans.

However, one symbol frequently seen in church decorations and Christmas pictures and designs has a distinctly religious significance which merits our study. This emblem is the star, and the reason for associating it with the birth of Christ is to be found in the words of the wise men or Magi, “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.”1 Nevertheless, the star is not appropriate in Christmas decorations, since it is distinctly associated with the coming of the Magi, an event which clearly occurred some time after the birth of Christ. Their explanation probably signified that they, while in the east, had seen the star, and this necessitated some time in travel before reaching Jerusalem. They then spent at least a short time in Jerusalem before they took the journey of about six miles to Bethlehem. Since the

BSac 93:372 (Oct 36) p. 474

star appeared to them, certain events had taken place at Bethlehem, including the removal of Mary and Joseph and the babe from the stable into a house.2 Further evidence that some time elapsed between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi is presented in the words used for Jesus; βρέφος, meaning a newborn babe,3 and παιδίον, meaning young child.4 And Herod, who knew exactly when the star appeared (ἀκριβόω, the verb used, means to inquire with exactness, to learn carefully5 ) kept this time in mind, yet killed all the children in and near Bethlehem from two years old and under, when he saw that the Magi did not return to tell him of the Messiah whom they had come to worship.6 Had the star been noticeable at Jerusalem at the time the Magi first s...