The Holy Stars
Probably 4 BC must be the year very important for the birth of Christ Jesus, though He must have been born on December 25, 5 BC.
The search for the Stars of the Magi as nonperiodic astronomical occurrences such as comets and nova, has turned many to the extensive ancient records of the Chinese astronomers. In the Ho Pen Yoke catalogue is found a hui star that was sighted in the lunar month falling in March/April of 5 BCE, and it was visible for seventy days.5 Also recorded during this period is Haley's comet in 12 BCE, a comet in 10 BCE, and a comet or nova on April 24 of 4 BCE; the following entry is a comet in 13 CE.6 Of interest in this search are the appearances in 5 and 4 BCE.
The "star" of 5 BCE appeared sometime during the Chinese lunar month from March 10 to April 7. The middle of that month was about March 25. This is a prime candidate for the first Star of the Magi, which coincided with the conception of Jesus.
This "star" was described as a hui-hsing or "sweeping star" or "broom star." This comet or nova was visible for seventy days and was reported in the constellation Aquila. It arose about four to five hours before the sun and was visible in the late night sky toward the east. Bright, long lasting comets tend to be close to the sun and earth, which makes them appear to move rapidly against the background of stars. This was not reported in the Chinese annals, suggesting the "star" was not a comet. A nova rapidly comes to maximum brightness and then falls off over a time to invisibility; it may reappear some years later. Although not certain, the "star" was probably a nova. This nova is suggested as the first observation of the Magi who, "saw His star in the east." (Matt. 2:2)
The "star" of 4 BCE was reported only for April 24. It was described as a po-hsing or "sparkling star." This was a nova, or possibly a supernova, which appeared in the constellation Capricornus. This constellation is next to Aquila and would have appeared very close to the same location as the nova of 5 BCE. It also arose about four to five hours before the sun. If a supernova, it would have continued to be visible into the daylight. A supernova will leave a pulsar remnant. The binary pulsar PSR1913+16b has been identified as this pulsar, although with a low probability because of the density of pulsars in that area.7
The supernova of April 24, 4 BCE is suggested as the Star of Bethlehem. It has been calculated that if an observer looked from the Old South Gate leading from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, which is 20o west of south, that just before sunrise on that day, this star would have appeared 70o above the horizon, directly over Bethlehem. This would be a very possible time of departure from Jerusalem for the Magi. As a supernova in approximately the same location, which is unexpected, it might have seemed to the Magi to be a reappearance of the nova of 5 BCE. The timing of just over a year between the novas might account for Herod's selection of two years for the age of the children to be killed.
It is not known how any Magi would make an astrological interpretation of the first seventy-day nova. The interpretation may have been found according to their established astrological procedures, or given in a dream by God, just as He later warned them not to return to Herod. The April 24, 4 BCE nova would then be the Star over Bethlehem. Here may be a bona fide contender for the Star of Bethlehem.
A possible objection to this interpretation is that by the time the Magi arrived in Bethlehem the nova or supernova would have moved out of position and may have been washed out by daylight. However, when the Magi "saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." (Matt. 2:10) The initial sighting from the Old South Gate may have become frozen in their minds, standing still, leading them rapidly by their highly charged emotions. An open inquiry in Bethlehem would have then located the child, especially since God brought them there.
The two novas of 5 BCE and 4 BCE fit the two departures to Nazareth. The first nova began in March of 5 BCE, and lasted for seventy days. The middle of that lunar month, about March 25, coincides with the traditional date for the Annunciation, or the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This would be more than a coincidence. This would then place the birth of Jesus in December of 5 BCE, possibly on the traditional date of December 25. Jesus was then presented at the Temple forty-one days later, or February 2, 4 BCE. Joseph, Mary and Jesus departed for Nazareth at that time. After Jesus was born, "his parents used to go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover." (Luke 2:41) If "every year" is to be interpreted literally, then Joseph and Mary must have gone to the following Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, April 11 to April 18, 4 BCE. They apparently then spent time in nearby Bethlehem, probably with friends made a few months earlier when Jesus was born. On April 24 there appeared the supernova, the Star of Bethlehem. The Magi presented their gifts to Jesus that day. Then followed the flight into Egypt and the massacre of the innocents. Their stay in Egypt ended about six months later with the death of Herod on November 27, 4 BCE. On the way home they bypassed Jerusalem on this second return to Nazareth.
It should be noted that there was no "Christmas Star" associated with the birth of Jesus. The first Star was at His conception, and the second Star when He was about four months old.
http://doig.net/NTC08.htmSo, finally the answer was given by the ancient Chinese cultural heritage which was then imported by Japan later.
*** *** *** ***
Mar 12:5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
Mar 12:6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mar 12:7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's.
Mar 12:8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
Mar 12:9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.