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Objection 1: It would seem that the star which appeared to the Magi
belonged to the heavenly system. For Augustine says in a sermon on
the Epiphany (cxxii): "While God yet clings to the breast, and
suffers Himself to be wrapped in humble swaddling clothes, suddenly a
new star shines forth in the heavens." Therefore the star which
appeared to the Magi belonged to the heavenly system.
Objection 2: Further, Augustine says in a sermon on the Epiphany
(cci): "Christ was made known to the shepherds by angels, to the
Magi by a star. A heavenly tongue speaks to both, because the tongue
of the prophets spoke no longer." But the angels who appeared to the
shepherds were really angels from heaven. Therefore also the star
which appeared to the Magi was really a star from the heavens.
Objection 3: Further, stars which are not in the heavens but in the
air are called comets, which do not appear at the birth of kings, but
rather are signs of their approaching death. But this star was a sign
of the King's birth: wherefore the Magi said (Mt. 2:2):
"Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His
star in the east." Therefore it seems that it was a star from the
heavens.
On the contrary, Augustine says (Contra Faust. ii): "It was
not one of those stars which since the beginning of the creation observe
the course appointed to them by the Creator; but this star was a
stranger to the heavens, and made its appearance at the strange sight
of a virgin in childbirth."
I answer that, As Chrysostom says (Hom. vi in Matth.), it is
clear, for many reasons, that the star which appeared to the Magi did
not belong to the heavenly system. First, because no other star
approaches from the same quarter as this star, whose course was from
north to south, these being the relative positions of Persia, whence
the Magi came, and Judea. Secondly, from the time. For it
appeared not only at night, but also at midday: and no star can do
this, not even the moon. Thirdly, because it was visible at one time
and hidden at another. For when they entered Jerusalem it hid
itself: then, when they had left Herod, it showed itself again.
Fourthly, because its movement was not continuous, but when the Magi
had to continue their journey the star moved on; when they had to stop
the star stood still; as happened to the pillar of a cloud in the
desert. Fifthly, because it indicated the virginal Birth, not by
remaining aloft, but by coming down below. For it is written (Mt.
2:9) that "the star which they had seen in the east went before
them, until it came and stood over where the child was." Whence it
is evident that the words of the Magi, "We have seen His star in
the east," are to be taken as meaning, not that when they were in the
east the star appeared over the country of Judea, but that when they
saw the star it was in the east, and that it preceded them into Judea
(although this is considered doubtful by some). But it could not
have indicated the house distinctly, unless it were near the earth.
And, as he [Chrysostom] observes, this does not seem fitting to a
star, but "of some power endowed with reason." Consequently "it
seems that this was some invisible force made visible under the form of
a star."
Wherefore some say that, as the Holy Ghost, after our Lord's
Baptism, came down on Him under the form of a dove, so did He
appear to the Magi under the form of a star. While others say that
the angel who, under a human form, appeared to the shepherds, under
the form of a star, appeared to the Magi. But it seems more probable
that it was a newly created star, not in the heavens, but in the air
near the earth, and that its movement varied according to God's
will. Wherefore Pope Leo says in a sermon on the Epiphany
(xxxi): "A star of unusual brightness appeared to the three Magi
in the east, which, through being more brilliant and more beautiful
than the other stars, drew men's gaze and attention: so that they
understood at once that such an unwonted event could not be devoid of
purpose."
Reply to Objection 1: In Holy Scripture the air is sometimes
called the heavens---for instance, "The birds of the heavens and
the fishes of the sea."
Reply to Objection 2: The angels of heaven, by reason of their
very office, come down to us, being "sent to minister." But the
stars of heaven do not change their position. Wherefore there is no
comparison.
Reply to Objection 3: As the star did not follow the course of the
heavenly stars, so neither did it follow the course of the comets,
which neither appear during the daytime nor vary their customary
course. Nevertheless in its signification it has something in common
with the comets. Because the heavenly kingdom of Christ "shall break
in pieces, and shall consume all the kingdoms" of the earth, "and
itself shall stand for ever" (Dan. 2:44).
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