The Star of Bethlehem, often found at the top of a Christmas tree or on a plate of Christmas cookies, is strictly Christian in origin, from the Gospel of Matthew. The nature of the star mentioned in the gospel remains a mystery; however, the science of astronomy has provided some possible explanations for accounts of a magical star at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Some have argued that it must have been a comet, but records of that time mark the only comets near this period at 17 B.C. (too early), and A.D. 66 (too late). Chinese astronomers, the best in history, observed a nova in 4 B.C., but there is no way to know whether this is the star mentioned in the story.

Another explanation comes from the fields of astronomy and astrology. In the year 6 or 7 B.C., there was an alignment of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces, a fact confirmed by the School of Astronomy at Sippar in Babylon and by the world-renowned astronomer Johannes Kepler.

Ancient astrological legend, moreover, asserts that the meeting of these planets would signify the Messiah’s birth. The sign for Pisces is two fish joined by their tails; this is also the sign of the Messiah. However, it’s possible that 6–7 B.C. is too early to be the year of Jesus’ birth.

Careful reading of Matthew shows that it gives no specific number for the Wise Men who were following the star and never refers to them as kings. Over the years, popular culture settled on the number three, presumably because of the three gifts that Matthew mentions: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their status as kings is believed to come from a passage in Psalms that refers to kings bearing gifts, though they are also referred to as Magi.