Solving the cosmic Christmas conundrum

AT this time of year, what appears to be a particularly bright star is often visible in the night sky — reminding many, no doubt, of the Star of Bethlehem.

This is, in fact, the planet Venus, one of many astronomical objects cited in trying to understand this most enduring of enigmas.

Just about the only fact that can be stated with any degree of certainty is that Jesus was not born on December 25, AD1.