I took myself down a Rabbit Hole with this one. I was just looking for a bible verse about this elusive and magnificent North Star to add to an Instagram Post, and wow…I had no idea this was such a hot topic! I do recall learning much of the history of the North Star and it’s significance, both in Scripture, and US and World History. So, is it a fable? A literary tool? An actual star? A planet? Why is so important to US History? Is the Star of Bethlehem the same thing as the North Star? What does the North Star mean to Christians? Let’s attempt to break it down, shall we?
Why is called the North Star?
Well, it sits right above the North Pole, pretty basic. I think we all know that. Polaris, in Greek, means “Pole Star.” The common names for Polaris are ‘Pole Star’ and ‘North Star.’ I would dare to venture a guess that 99.9% of all Americans call it the North Star.
Because Polaris lies nearly in a direct line with the Earth’s rotational axis “above” the North Pole—the north celestial pole—Polaris stands almost motionless in the sky, and all the stars of the northern sky appear to rotate around it. Therefore, it makes an excellent fixed point from which to draw measurements for celestial navigation and for astrometry.
Wikepedia
Long before GPS and Google Maps were a thing, if you’re as old as me and remember such a time, we used mass produced paper maps. Before that, we can trace way back through cartography to regional and world maps, with the first world map being attributed to Anaximander of Greece. Prior to that, other maps, of course were in existence – some more regional, some geographically accurate, some representative of specific civilations. We find, also, cave drawings, and poetry. I’ll leave you to research this further. (PSSST – Go back and click google maps to see the north pole…if you want to…you’re welcome!)
It is also common knowledge that seamen and explorers have used Polaris as a guiding light for all time. With it’s fixed location, one can determine if they are actually going in the right direction. This, too is why compasses point to the North. Helpful on cloudy night, or during the daylight hours when the star may not be visible.
Is it just a fable? Is it a Star? Is it a Planet?
Well, obviously, scientifically we can rule this out. There’s no dissent on the fact that Polaris does, in fact, exist in our vast heavens. But, when we look closer at the North Star as it relates to Bethlehem, that’s an entirely different topic…
https://www.livescience.com/north-star-cepheid-mystery.html
Here’s the cool part…scientists seem to disagree on all things Polaris…it’s really quite an interesting topic to read on – Not being a scientist, I won’t even begin to try to regurgitate all of the information that I found…I will include a references at the bottom of this blog to start you off on your own rabbit hole…but here’s my favorite quote, shared by Rafi Letzer, a staff writer for Live Science:
“It is challenging to draw significant conclusions beyond the fact that Polaris continues to be an enduring mystery, and the more we measure the less we seem to understand,” Neilson and Blinn wrote.
That quote just seems to sum up the entire situation…is it brighter? Is it dimmer? The telescope is too strong. The telescope is too week. It’s doing what we think it should. The measurements don’t add up to what they actually are. And so on.
But. God. (Are you still with me?)
Fable? I had never actually considered that possibility…but that’s more about the Star of Bethlehem than the North Pole. Here are the basics of this train of thought.
- Three Wise Men traveled to find the Christ Child, guided by a ‘star in the East.’
- Presumably, no one else actually noticed this phenomenon.
- Stars don’t do the things described in Scripture…it just doesn’t all add up, or does it?
- I can’t find anything in the first three chapters of Matthew that mention the North Star.
- Matthew writes that it’s a STAR.
- The Greek word for star: αστέρι (astéri).
- In Hebrew, the English Word Star translates to Kokhav.
- Kokhav Translataes to Morning Star in English. All makes total sense right?
- It’s common knowledge that the ‘nativity’ scene we see today isn’t reality…the Wise men would not have found Christ as a newborn, or even an infant.
- Some believe that the ‘light in the east’ was actually an angel. I don’t follow that line very smoothly, though it would explain movement.
- The star may have been an actual star. A nova.
- It may have been a supernatural celestial event, and is believed to be my many.
Here’s something I found that MIGHT make sense? Without me spending hours pouring into astrology and mathematics…though, YEA, I’m going to be reading more on my own…because I’m totally geeking out over this.
Astronomer Michael Molnar points out that “in the east” is a literal translation of the Greek phrase “en te anatole,” which was a technical term used in Greek mathematical astrology 2,000 years ago. It described, very specifically, a planet that would rise above the eastern horizon just before the sun would appear. Then, just moments after the planet rises, it disappears in the bright glare of the sun in the morning sky. Except for a brief moment, no one can see this “star in the east.”
Can Astronomy Explain the Star of Bethlehem?
Now, go look up is a planet a star? Tired yet? Yea. That’s why we have people to focus on and study and argue about all of this. I’d rather just geek out for a bit, and try to understand a little more about this amazing world we live in, and how it all connects to Scripture. Here’s your take away for this section:
The Star of Bethlehem is not, in fact, the North Star. It is also not a fable. Let’s move on.
A Literary Tool Used by the writers of the Gospel?
Meh. Maybe. I’m not going to dig too deep in this one – it’s kind of obvious right? Light of the Word and all. I’d like to think of it as a literary tool used by the Creator Himself. Biblical History, and Scripture, is FILLED with phrases and literary devices, and one thing representing another. This is, perhaps, the most powerful.
God used a bright light to give HOPE to the Wise Men and send them on that journey to find the magnificant LIGHT & HOPE OF THE WORLD.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
The Wise Men had, in fact, been studying the Prophecy of the Messiah for years, marking signs and eagerly anticipating his coming. It is to God that we shall be grateful for their seeing and recognizing those signs. For protecting the Christ Child from the Enemy. For the incredible and rare intellect that they must have held to put it all together. And, something I never really thought of before…have you ever seen 3 scientists and mathematicians work together for YEARS and agree on something as massive as this? I mean, maybe? I don’t know…I don’t spend a lot of time with folks in these fields, but I can’t imagine that happening in this day and age…but, perhaps I’m wrong…the Currie’s are evidence enough of that possibility.
What is the Historical relevance of the North Star to the United States?
Remember the Underground Railroad? You would be wise to make the assumption, if you didn’t know this already, that many took this path with nothing but the clothes on their back. Even if they could read and write, having anything in writing on their person should they be caught, would likely endanger others seeking escape, as well as those seeking to provide safe passage for African Americans seeking freedom from slavery in the south.
The North Star, Polaris, was used as a guiding light to freedom, far before the civil war. I’ll allow to research this topic futher, and please be sure read about the Abolitionist Newspaper, The North Star, published by Frederick Douglas. I do remember learning about this in school, but don’t recall enough to really tell you the full story. And, as this article is focused on the Scriptural references to the North Star, I’ll leave that topic to others much more qualified than myself. Please, again, do research it. The timelines of the paper, and the story of the Underground Railroad is an important part of our history.
What Does the North Star Mean to Christians?
Well, based on what we’ve discussed above, nothing really. 🤣
Just kidding. But really, though, it’s the Star of Bethlehem that is of consequence here. And, quite simply put, we often look to the North Star, that bright and shining every present light, as a symbol of Hope. A symbol of our Savior. The Light of the World. It is, in fact, simply symbolic. Every light known to man and as of yet unknown, whether natural or synthetic, pales in contrast to the light of Hope Jesus sheds on all of us.
Ultimately, writes Bromiley in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, the question that matters most isn’t what the Star of Bethlehem was, but to whom it lead people. “One must realize that the narrative does not give a detailed description because the star itself was not important. It was mentioned only because it was a guide to the Christ child and a sign of His birth.”
Final Thoughts.
I find this topic, and the amount of scientific and scriptural parallels, to be of great significance. I love when Modern Science and Scripture align. And I love when Scripture baffles Scientists, all the while supporting it. I will most certainly be digging deeper into this topic, though it may, quite literally, take me until next Christmas to readdress it. I’d love to know your thoughts and research on the Star of Bethlehem.
Another thing I want you to see… we can spend a lifetime trying to prove, or disprove scripture in all it’s wonder and glory. Take the time that you need to do that, but dear friend – Don’t miss the Light because you are too busy chasing the Rabbit Hole. Let the light shine. See the light in others. I know, they (myself being one of they) are imperfect and broken, just like you. Let the Light in. Let Jesus in. And rest your precious, weary soul like you never have before.
Yesterday, I sat in the corner of my guest room flower where I have spent most of the last few days awaiting final results of a COVID-19 screening.I just sat there. Resting from shoving furniture around alone. I figured there’s really no better time than now to get this room in order, the way I like it, right? And I wept. Big, beautiful crodile tears of surrender, of praise, of all the feels. I wept while singing loudly, trapped in the corder of the room by furniture I probably shouldn’t have been moving by myself…here is the song that was playing:
And, today, my soul feels so rested, revived, and nourished. My body…well. That’s a different story.
Much Love to you and yours!
Cindi
A few of my sources are cited below, though much of this post is derived from Scripture and past knowledge. Most of the Scripture Study for this article in particular came from the book of Matthew. I began in the NKJV and bounced between several other versions for cross reference, and even translated between English, Greek, and Hebrew. Thank you for reading, and for your feedback!
TWC, A. (2019, January 18). The North Star: A symbol of inspiration and hope. Retrieved December 01, 2020, from http://theweeklychallenger.com/the-north-star-a-symbol-of-inspiration-and-hope/
Letzter, R. (2020, March 11). Something strange is going on with the North Star. Retrieved December 01, 2020, from https://www.livescience.com/north-star-cepheid-mystery.html
McClure, B. (2019, May 21). Polaris is the North Star. Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/polaris-the-present-day-north-star
Hopler, Whitney. “What Was the Christmas Star of Bethlehem?” Learn Religions, Aug. 25, 2020, learnreligions.com/christmas-star-of-bethlehem-124246.
Dejoie, J., & Truelove, E. (n.d.). Why is Polaris the North Star? Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question64.html The StarChild site is a service of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC), Dr. Alan Smale (Director), within the Astrophysics Science Division (ASD) at NASA/ GSFC. StarChild Authors: The StarChild Team StarChild Graphics & Music: Acknowledgments StarChild Project Leader: Dr. Laura A. Whitlock Curator: J.D. Myers Responsible NASA Official: Phil Newman
Weintraub, D. (2016, December 21). Can Astronomy Explain the Biblical Star of Bethlehem? Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2016-12-21/can-astronomy-explain-the-biblical-star-of-bethlehem Originally published here, on the Conversation: https://theconversation.com/can-astronomy-explain-the-biblical-star-of-bethlehem-35126
History of cartography. (2020, November 09). Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_cartography
Polaris. (2020, November 27). Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polaris
