I am a research engineer with degrees in chemical engineering and biochemistry, a scientist, an avid student of the Bible, and a believer in Jesus as the Messiah.  The scriptures clearly say that God made “lights in the expanse of the heavens … for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Gen 1:14), yet I knew of no evidence-based astronomic signs for many years. 

​

My journey of discovery started about 14 years ago when I watched The Star of Bethlehem DVD by Rick Larson (Vidano, McEveety, and Larson 2007) and read Ernest Martin’s book The Star that Astonished the World (Martin 1996).  Both had good evidence and theories.  However, there had to be more to the story.  One of the key unanswered questions was: Why did only the Magi recognize and act upon the signs?  What made the Wise Men so confident they traveled from their country without knowing where or how to find the Child?​

 

Using present-day astronomy software, I gradually recognized the breathtaking series of astronomy signs that accompanied all the major events in Christ’s coming, starting with the announcement to Mary that she would bear the Christ Child and continuing through Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus.  With time, I realized the dates of conception, birth, and presentation to the Lord were all on appointed days or festivals outlined in Moses’ writings or on anniversaries of milestone events during the Jewish exodus from Egypt.  The parallels to the Exodus period were incredible and led to even more discoveries.  The most important events in Christ’s life, from His conception through His resurrection, occurred either on one of the appointed days or feasts in Moses’ writings or on a key date or anniversary in Jewish history and sometimes both.  Only God could have planned this!​

 

The power of the real story is incredible.  I have given many packed-house planetarium presentations on just the astronomy sequences tied to Christ’s birth.  Many attending are spellbound.  But the full story is much more than a series of astronomy alignments.

​

​