An "asterisk" is a "little star" from the Greek word «αστήρ» for "star" and the Greek suffix «ισκος» for "little" (Matt 19:20, 22, Mark 14:51). First used over 2,000 years ago to mark text.

An "asteroid" is, literally, a "kind" or "variety" of "star".

• The modern Greek word "είδος" (EE-thos) ≈ "kind, variety". Many English words that end in "oid" are based on this Greek word.
• The modern Greek word "αστεροειδής" (a-steh-ro-ee-THEES) ≈ "asteroid".

Other English words that end in "oid" include the following.

• meteorite (discussed later)
• spheroid (discussed later)
• humanoid

The word "astronaut" comes from the Greek «αστρα» (astra) for star and the Greek root «ναυτ» for sailor, boat, navy, etc.

• English: navy
• The Latin word "nauta" ≈ "sailor".
• The Latin word "naviculam" ≈ "boat".
• The modern Greek word "ναύτης" (NAV-tees) ≈ "sailor".
• Hindi: नाव (nav) for boat

The Greek word for "star" appears more than 60 times in the Bible. The most famous mention is the star of Bethlehem at Christmas.

• The modern Greek word "χρόνος" (HRO-nos) ≈ "time", from which we get English words such as "chronology", "chronic", etc.

There are many theories as to this "star", all of which are interesting.

Details are left as a future topic.

The "Esther" in the Old Testament book of "Esther" comes from the Greek word «αστέρ» for "star".

Details are left as a future topic.

A Moravian star is a decoration, often illuminated from inside, that is used for the Advent/Christmas or Epiphany season.

The Moravian star originated in Germany in the 1830's at a Moravian Boys' School and came to America via Moravian congregations - particularly in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. The original star had 26 points usually less 1 point as place for an attachment.

The German "Herrnhuter Stern" ≈ "Moravian star".

The original star had 26 points, often with 1 less point as place for an attachment.

• 8 triangle-base pyramid points
• 18 square-base pyramid points

Moravian star hanging in the sanctuary of St. Paul's United Methodist church. (as of 2022-12-01)

Roy Gish, a longtime member of Saint Paul's United Methodist, made Moravian Stars for many years. Some are still at the church and appear at Christmas time.

On South Mountain near Bethlehem, PA, is a metal star. A wooden one was erected on that site about 1938 but soon steel supports were added from Bethlehem Steel in 1939. A new star was installed in 1967.

This star hearkens back to the Moravian founders who, on Christmas Eve of 1741, named their settlement in Pennsylvania after Bethlehem of Judea where Jesus was born.

Moravian University, founded in 1742, is a private university in Bethlehem, PA. It is the 6th oldest college in the United States.

Their motto is the Latin "via lucis" ≈ "the way of light". From that motto comes their vision statement, "discover your brilliance".

The Star of David is a widely recognizable symbol of Israel. It consists of two blue regular triangles, one pointing up and one pointing down.

The Hebrew is, literally, the "shield of David", pronounced "Magen David".