Evening twilight has just ended for the citizens of Jerusalem. Their arrival in Jericho and the news of their two-month journey from the Kingdom of Parthia in search of the newborn messiah had created considerable consternation among the Jewish citizens. He had shown great interest in all that they had to tell him. Here on the edge of Jerusalem they survey the rapidly-darkening sky above the western horizon. Although they know that Jupiter and Saturn have still been in reasonably close proximity to one another in recent weeks, cloudy weather had obscured their view of the planets on most nights.
Tonight is different.
Off to the southwest the clearing sky reveals Jupiter and Saturn standing above the horizon in the glow of the zodiacal light, like a signpost marking the road to Bethlehem. Tonight, as well, they have been joined by the swiftly-moving Mars, the god of war, which now lies between them.