Skies to Stars: Christmas Stars
By Ed Downs
No, there is no mistake in titling this column in the plural, that is to say “stars” as opposed to “star.” To be sure, the “Star of Bethlehem” is a cherished part of the Christmas tradition, as are the Three Wise Men. These three searchers are said to have used that star to guide them in their search for the Savior. Biblical historians have long argued as to who these “Wise Men” might have been and how it was that they, presumed to be of Babylonian origins, would have known about Hebrew prophesies of a coming of a Savior. Some have guessed that these “scholars” may have been what we would today call astrologers, a possibility often shunned by those who think of astrology as a superstitious form of divination.
But one must remember that astronomy (the natural science of studying celestial objects) and astrology (a method of divination) were once inseparable. While perhaps arguable, it can be said that the study of stars and the motion of our planet and moon may be the oldest form of observational science known to the human species. Cave paintings of the Moon’s phases and position in the sky relative to known landmarks can be found dating back to nearly 30,000 years BC. By 3,000 BC several civilizations showed sophisticated knowledge of celestial events and by 2,000 BC the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Babylonia (today’s Iraq) had developed calendars to guide their agrarian societies in seasonal planting schedules. Ancient scholars studied the skies and grouped stars into constellations, many of which were based upon prominent figures of mythology and religious beliefs.
Modern astronomy recognizes 88 “official” constellations, 12 percent of which are in the southern hemispheres, never to be seen by the majority of the world’s population. The most well-known of the constellations are those that belong to the Zodiac of astrological fame. These constellations, as well as the moon and planets, all remain close to a circle that surrounds the earth, called the ecliptic. The ecliptic created the concept of latitude, thus leading to modern navigation.
It is the relative position of stars and planets within the constellations of the ecliptic (called the signs of the Zodiac) that form the basis of astrological predictions. To modern astronomers, the constellations are like continents, helping star gazers find prominent stars, nebulas, star clusters and galaxies by first locating the constellation that they reside in.
To some readers, the preceding may be interesting, or even new information. But it was far more than just “interesting” in biblical times. Every child learned about the constellations of their day and the stories they told. Travelers, shepherds and tradesmen were expert celestial navigators with the ability to travel incredible distances, on foot, with stunning accuracy. Farmers depended upon the astronomers/astrologers of the time for guidance in crop planting, rain predictions, water management and religious holidays. The shepherds of the Christmas story depended upon their knowledge of the stars to move their flocks from one grazing area to another, and it is no wonder that news of their Savior came from the skies. The Disciples of Christ traveled huge distances as they spread the word, often not on well-traveled routes. They too looked to the night sky for guidance. Astronomy and astrology were linked partners to the Christmas story, and it is impossible to think of how such a world-changing event could have taken place without a strong connection to the stars, thus the Star of Bethlehem.
Today, that connection to the stars is being lost. Many who are born and raised in metropolitan areas never truly see the night sky. Obliterated by light pollution, the sky is dulled, stars faint and the Milky Way, our own galaxy, never seen. But Christmas is a great time to correct that sad truth. Take a trip to www.astroleague.org and find a local astronomy club. Consider a telescope as a holiday gift, but not from a discount house, box store or national retailer that stocks such items only for the Holiday season. Use your search engine to contact companies like Orion Telescopes, Mead Instruments or Celestron, all major manufacturers of quality telescopes. These, and other manufacturers, offer educational videos and excellent values in beginner telescopes at remarkably low prices. Even advance, “Go-To” (automatic finding and tracking) telescopes can be purchased for under $300 from these reputable sources.
Our children today think of themselves as computer literate and technologically savvy, but abandoned in the wilderness on a dark night with a dead battery, they are lost, even while gazing at a universe filled with knowledge. Christmas is a time to celebrate a simple happening that took place more than 2,000 years ago. Perhaps that look back in time should include the reacquisition of celestial knowledge that can take us into the future.
