88. The Star of the Magi and the Manifestation of Christ

Subscribe in Podcast App | Download Transcript

Lecture Notes

Main Topics #

The Star Was Not a Celestial Star #

Thomas Aquinas argues that the star appearing to the Magi was not one of the fixed celestial stars but rather a newly created sign in the air near earth, moved according to God’s will. This is demonstrated through five key properties of the star’s behavior.

Five Properties Proving the Star’s Supernatural Nature #

1. Direction: The star moved from east to west, opposite to the natural motion of celestial stars which move from west to east
2. Daytime Visibility: It appeared in the middle of the day, which is impossible for natural stars
3. Intermittence: It appeared and then hid itself when the Magi entered Jerusalem, then showed itself again when they departed
4. Non-Continuous Motion: It did not have continual motion but moved only when necessary for the Magi’s journey, like the pillar of cloud in the desert
5. Descent to Specific Location: It did not remain above but descended to show the specific house where the child lay

Possible Interpretations of the Star #

• Chrysostom’s View: The star appeared to the Magi two years before Christ’s birth, and they spent two years in preparation and travel
• Augustine’s View: The star appeared when Christ was born, and through divine power the Magi traveled the great distance in 13 days to arrive on the Epiphany
• Amigius’s Interpretation: The star could not distinctly demonstrate a particular house unless it possessed rational power, suggesting it was a supernatural rather than natural phenomenon

Three Theories on the Star’s Nature #

1. The Holy Spirit Theory: Some say the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ at baptism in the form of a dove; similarly, the Holy Spirit appeared to the Magi in the form of a star
2. The Angel Theory: The angel who appeared to the shepherds in human form appeared to the Magi in the form of a star
3. New Creation Theory (Most Probable): Thomas holds that the star was newly created (de novo creata), not in heaven but in the air near earth, moved according to God’s will

The Magi’s Adoration Was Suitable #

Although the Magi found Christ with no visible signs of royal dignity (a poor infant in a manger), they suitably adored him and offered gifts because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to recognize him as a celestial king rather than an earthly one.

Why the Star Hid Itself in Jerusalem #

The star withdrew when the Magi entered Jerusalem so that the Jews themselves would give testimony to Christ’s birth from the scriptures (specifically, that he would be born in Bethlehem). This created a twofold testimony—both the celestial sign of the star and the prophetic authority of the scriptures—confirming the Magi’s faith and motivating them to seek with greater ardor.

The Significance of the Three Gifts #

• Gold: Offered to a great king, signifying Christ’s kingship and wisdom
• Frankincense (Incense): Offered to God, signifying prayer, devotion, and the divine nature of Christ
• Myrrh: Used to anoint the dead, signifying Christ’s future death and the mortification of the flesh through abstinence

Key Arguments #

Objection: The Star Should Have Been a Celestial Star #

Argument: Augustine says a new star appeared to the Magi. Comets appear as signs of the death of kings, not their birth. Therefore the star should have been one of the heavenly stars.

Thomas’s Response: The star’s behavior proves it was not a celestial star:

• Celestial stars move from west to east; this star moved east to west
• Celestial stars cannot appear in daylight
• Celestial stars do not have intermittent motion or hide themselves
• Celestial stars do not descend to designate particular houses

Therefore, it was a newly created star, moved by divine power.

Objection: Why Did the Magi Need to Ask Where the King Was Born? #

Argument: The star was able to lead them to Bethlehem; it should not have been necessary for them to ask the Jews for directions or confirmation.

Thomas’s Response (Augustine): The star hid itself so that the Jews would give their own testimony from the scriptures. This created a twofold confirmation—both celestial sign and prophetic authority—strengthening the Magi’s faith and motivating them to seek with greater ardor. The Jews thus unknowingly served as witnesses (similar to milestones), indicating the place while remaining unmoved themselves by the revelation.

Objection: The Magi Unsuitably Adored and Offered Gifts #

Argument: To each king, reverence is owed from his subjects. But the Magi were not of the kingdom of the Jews. Furthermore, it is foolish for a stranger to announce a new king when Herod reigned. Gifts and reverence ought not be given except to kings already ruling, but the Magi found Christ with no sign of royal dignity.

Thomas’s Response: The Magi, inspired by the Holy Spirit, sought a celestial king, not an earthly one. Although they saw no royal excellence in external appearance, they were satisfied with the testimony of the star alone and adored him, “seeing a man” but “knowing a God.” They offered gifts suitable to his divine dignity despite his humble appearance.

Important Definitions #

Stella (Star) #

A celestial body or supernatural sign. In this context, Thomas distinguishes between fixed celestial stars (stellae caelestes) and the newly created star (de novo creata) that appeared to the Magi.

Instinctus interior Spiritus Sancti (Inward Instinct of the Holy Spirit) #

The interior illumination by which the Magi recognized Christ as a celestial king and were moved to adore him despite his humble appearance—demonstrating divine inspiration rather than natural human reasoning.

Praefiguratio (Prefiguration) #

The way the manifestation to different groups prefigures salvation history and God’s plan of revelation—the star to the Magi represents how the Gentiles come to faith through heavenly signs.

Examples & Illustrations #

The Pillar of Cloud Analogy #

Thomas compares the star’s behavior to the pillar of cloud that guided Israel in the desert. Both:

• Move according to God’s will, not natural law
• Stop when necessary and move when necessary
• Demonstrate divine power and guidance
• Are supernatural signs for a people’s journey

The Daytime Star #

Berquist emphasizes that the star appeared not only at night but in the middle of the day, which is impossible for natural stars or even the moon. This demonstrates it was not a celestial body but a supernatural creation.

The Star’s Descent #

The star descended from above to “stand over the place where the child was,” requiring it to come down from the heavens to designate the particular house—impossible for a natural star but necessary for this supernatural sign.

Augustine’s Comparison of the Jews to Milestones #

Augustine compares the Jews who gave testimony to Bethlehem but did not believe to milestones (moxstones) or guide markers—they “speak and remain teachers,” indicating direction but not walking the path themselves. This illustrates how the star’s withdrawal forced the Magi to seek Jewish testimony, making the Jews unwitting witnesses despite their unbelief.

Notable Quotes #

“From the beginning of creatures, [the celestial stars] kept their course under the law of the creator, but by a new birth of a virgin, a new star appeared.” (Augustine, quoted from Against Faustus)

This quote establishes that the star was not part of the created order from the beginning but appeared specifically for Christ’s birth—demonstrating God’s power over nature.

“The star which led the Magi to the place where God the Infinite was, was able to lead them to the city of Bethlehem, but nevertheless it hid itself, until from the city in which Christ was born, even the Jews would give testimony.” (Augustine, Sermon on the Epiphany)

This explains why the star withdrew in Jerusalem—to require the twofold testimony of both celestial sign and Jewish witness.

“They saw a man, and they knew a God.” (Thomas Aquinas)

This captures how the Magi recognized Christ’s divinity despite his humble human appearance, guided by the Holy Spirit.

“A new star of new clarity appeared, which, being more illustrious and more beautiful than the other stars, turned toward itself the eyes and souls of those seeing it.” (Apopha, Sermon on the Epiphany)

This describes the star’s supernatural brilliance and the way it captured attention.

Questions Addressed #

Q: Should the star have been a fixed celestial star? #

A: No. Five properties of the star’s behavior prove it was not a fixed celestial star but a newly created supernatural sign: (1) directional motion from east to west; (2) daytime visibility; (3) intermittence (appearing and hiding); (4) non-continuous motion; (5) descent to a specific house.

Q: Why did the star withdraw in Jerusalem? #

A: So that the Jews would give testimony from the scriptures to Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, creating a twofold confirmation (celestial sign + prophetic witness) that would strengthen the Magi’s faith and move them to seek with greater ardor.

Q: Did the Magi suitably adore and offer gifts to Christ despite his lack of royal dignity? #

A: Yes. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they recognized Christ as a celestial king rather than an earthly one, and offered gifts signifying his kingship (gold), divinity (frankincense), and future death (myrrh).

Q: Was the star the Holy Spirit or an angel or a newly created star? #

A: Most probably it was a newly created star in the air near earth, moved according to God’s will, though some say it was the Holy Spirit in the form of a star or an angel appearing as a star.

Q: How did the Magi travel so far so quickly if the star appeared before Christ’s birth? #

A: Either they spent two years in preparation and travel (Chrysostom), or the star appeared at Christ’s birth and through divine power they traveled the great distance in 13 days to arrive on the Epiphany (Augustine and most modern interpreters).