Virtual Nativity - The Star of Bethlehem

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família (Basilica of the Holy Family) is a large unfinished Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona, Spain. Construction started in 1882.

The building houses three façades, the Nativity façade was the first to be completed in 1930. Dedicated to the birth of Jesus, it faces the rising sun to the northeast, a symbol for the birth of Christ.

Running up between the two sets of stained-glass windows behind the angels in the façade is the multi-pointed star of Bethlehem. This was the star that shone in the sky to announce the birth of Jesus.

The Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, appears only in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew where ‘wise men from the East’ (Magi) are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem where they meet King Herod of Judea and ask him:

“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
Matthew 2.2

The ‘Wise Men guided by a Star’ is an illustration taken from the book ‘Religion in the Home: Illuminated Bible Stories for Young and Old Written in Simple Language’ by Charlotte Mary Yonge and illustrated originally by the French painter Paul Gustave Doré (1832-1883). A crowd is marching, but three individuals in particular are shown moving towards a bright star. One is riding a richly decorated camel.

The Gospels do not say there were Three Kings; they say neither how many there were nor that they were kings. In fact, they say only that there were Wise Men (or astronomers, or astrologers) who gave three gifts. By following God’s sign, the Wise Men found Jesus and worshipped him.