The mysterious star... connected to the birth of Jesus What was it? How did it announce the coming of the Messiah? Was the star a directional, visual guide or simply a celestial sign that announced the Messiah's coming? Did wise men really come from the East seeking Israel’s Messiah sometime after the birth of Jesus? The biblical account of the wise men and the star that announced the coming of the Messiah of Israel has not only inspired but also perplexed people for two millennia. The involvement of important aspects of Babylonian astronomy in understanding the star’s appearance adds to its enduring mystery. The traditional Jewish names of stars and planets, Jewish symbols, and Jewish dates all seem to be keys to unlocking the mystery of the famous star, underscoring its profound influence on human history. Who were the biblical Magi? Various wise men were influential in the history of the vast region to the east of Judaea. Zoroastrian, Babylonian, Greek, and even Jewish wise men played a role in several successive empires. The Magi who arrived in Bethlehem seem to have been somewhat influenced by Judaism. And they understood at least part of the meaning of Daniel’s sixth-century BC prophecy concerning the 70 “sevens.” The prophecy has to do with time. The Babylonian astronomers were uniquely qualified to perceive the connection between time and the heavens. The Magi sought God’s kingdom centered on the Messiah, the Righteous One. Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, is still making himself known. His ways are as mysterious as ever, and his humility is unsurpassed. After reading the first edition of this book, an astronomer made the following comment, This is a serious study of what could have been a messianic Jewish perspective concerning the heavens two millennia ago.” Book website: www.mulbabbar.com