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Last year, people came from all over to see the presentation, both times. They poured into the museum gallery at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park, to both learn more about the Star of Bethlehem and the Biblical Christmas story. 

In the Biblical Christmas story, a star is referenced. Commonly called the Christmas star or the Star of Bethlehem, in the Book of Matthew it helps the Magi find their way to the location of the Christ child. But what did the star look like? And what did the night sky in Bethlehem as a whole look like during that time? That’s what Sailor’s Creek workers helped answer last year and they plan to do it again. 

“(Last year) was very successful, with just over half capacity filling the museum gallery to watch the presentation,” said Lee Wilcox. He serves as assistant park manager for Sailor’s Creek. “The families and couples in attendance were completely engaged and awe-struck with the information presented, which proved the existence of the Star of Bethlehem event over two thousand years ago.” 

Last year, Sailor’s Creek accidentally held it at the same time as the Christmas parades in both Farmville and Amelia County. That’s not happening this time around. This time, the event will take place a day before the parades, on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kim Kenny with the Crewe Observatory will be on hand 

Details about the event  

So, what will this involve? Kenny will take folks back in time to see the Bethlehem sky as it was during the life of Jesus. Using the Holy Bible, computers and cutting-edge astronomy software, residents will be able to experience in two hours what the Wise Men saw, the star they followed.

For example, in the Biblical book of Matthew, Chapter 2, verse 1-2 says “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”

Then in verse 9, the star is again referenced, as the passage says “When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”

The Star of Bethlehem and other signs

Kenney will also show signs in the sky that took place during the life of Jesus, from his birth to his crucifixion. That means for this event, you’ll be able to see the sky just as it was in the first century. 

Now there was one thing that caused confusion last year. Some people thought this was going to be an outdoor astronomy event. It be clear, this will be held indoors, inside the museum gallery, with the presentation led by Kenny and his team from the Crewe Observatory. 

As for other questions, yes, this is free to the public and absolutely, everyone will be able to ask questions as soon as the program wraps up. The park is located at 6541 Saylers Creek Road in Rice and for more information, you can call the visitor center at 804-561-7510.