Science: The Holy Light

Was there really a bright star nearly 20 centuries ago that guided the wise men from their lands in the east to the manger in Bethlehem? There are those who dismiss the star as nothing more than a metaphor; many ancient civilizations believed that new stars heralded the birth of almost any king or conqueror. Stars, after all, are said to have greeted the births of Mithridates and Alexander. But others take the Christmas star more literally, and not without reason. Astronomical records show that there were several significant celestial events around the time of Jesus' birth.

Astronomers and scientists generally agree...

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