VRCC Notes ET Tapper
Christmas Series: Can you see what I See?
December 10, 2017
Matthew 2:1-12

INTRODUCTION: There are so many amazing aspects of the events
surrounding Christ’s birth, but one that has especially made its way into our
decorations, cards, carols and nativity scenes is the Star of Bethlehem. The
account of the star has fascinated Bible students and astronomers for
centuries. Some claim it was a conjunction of planets, some say a comet,
others a supernova in the sky. So what was this star, and why is it
important? What was God’s purpose behind the Star of Bethlehem? Those
are some of the questions we will seek to answer through this morning’s
message.
What are the qualifications for the Star. 
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King
Herod,— Magi from the east came to Jerusalem— MATTHEW 2:1
Who are these magi?
Herod asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?—
MATTHEW 2:2A
The Magis’ question gives us three points for our list of qualifications for
the Star. Whatever happened in the sky indicated:
1) birth,
2) kingship and
3) Jews. It also gives us a clue about the Magi. They were interested in
things Jewish.
…We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”—
MATTHEW 2:2B
4) it must rise in the east like most other stars.

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with
him.— MATTHEW 2:3

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of
the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in
Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you,
Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of
Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my
people Israel.'”— MATTHEW 2:4-6
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact
time the star had appeared.— MATTHEW 2:7
5) It appeared at an exact time.
6) Herod didn’t know when it appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for
the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and
worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and
the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over
the place where the child was.— MATTHEW 2:8-9
7) It endured over a considerable period of time.
8) It went ahead of them as they traveled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
9) The Star stopped! 
Can a star do that? Yes, it can, as we shall see.
What was the star in the sky?
Video: The Bethlehem Star
Conclusion:
Just like this “Star” led the Wise Men to Christ, Jesus, the Star of the
Morning, leads us to eternal life.