SANDPOINT — "… And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:9-11)

Since the days that the three wisemen made their way from far away to the streets of Bethlehem by following the "Star of Bethlehem," it has been the source of wonder, song and story.

Now, on Dec. 21, the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn will make them appear closer to one another than they have for more than eight centuries. According to a story on goodnewsnetwork.org, alignments between planets — called a conjunction — is a relatively rare phenomenon.

“But this conjunction is exceptionally rare because of how close the planets will appear to one another," Rice University astronomer Patrick Hartigan is quoted in the story.

The last time the planets appeared so closely — with a visible separation of only 0.1 degrees — was in the Middle Ages: at predawn on March 4, 1226, according to the story.

According to the story, the two planets have been steadily moving closer to each other since this summer. And Hartigan encouraged all who can to take a moment to look to the night sky to catch the once-in-a-lifetime conjunction.

Taking the time to look for these planets over the coming nights is worth it, Hartigan told USA Today.

“You can watch [the planets] move which is super cool, because you’re actually seeing planets in orbit” Hartigan told the newspaper.

He recommended starting to watch the pair coming together before solstice night will make identifying them that bit easier on Dec. 21.

Though visible around the world, Hartigan said the best place to see the conjunction is close to the equator, ideally between dusk and shortly after nightfall. That way the sky is dark enough for fainter Saturn to appear, but it isn't so late in the night that the planets have moved below the horizon.

The beauty and wonder of such an event makes me think of the community's Christmas spirit that shines brighter than all the stars during the holidays. The biggest example of that Christmas spirit? The Sandpoint Lions dedicate hours and plenty of heart, soul and caring to raise enough money to make Christmas merry for all.

Another example of the beauty and wonder that fills this community each Christmas: Donna and Dick Hutter. The longtime residents advised the Lions Club that they would be receiving a $1,000 donation from the Richard and Donna Hutter Fund through the Idaho Community Foundation. The money will be used to fill toy wish lists as part of the club's Toys for Tots campaign.

That very generous donation brings the total amount of donations received to date to $2,875 of the $50,000 goal set by the Lions for the annual Christmas campaign.

The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided. If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the 2020 Toys for Tots program.

Applications are being accepted — more than 40 have been received already. The forms are available at the Lions Den, 609 S. Ella St., Sandpoint, on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; online at the Sandpoint Lions Facebook page, facebook.com/SandpointLionsClub; or at Bonner Community Food Bank, 1707 Culvers Drive, Sandpoint. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, Dec. 14.

Masks are required to enter the Lions Den building or those dropping them off may also place them into the red box next to the door.

Toys may be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint; Farmhouse Restaurant, 477227 U.S. 95, Ponderay; Columbia Bank — Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St.; and Ponderay branch, 300 Kootenai Cutoff Road; Walmart, 476999 U.S. 95, Ponderay; and North 40, 477181 U.S. 95, Ponderay.

There are a host of coin jars around the community where spare change can be donated. In addition, monetary donations may be dropped off at both branches of Columbia Bank and the Bonner County Daily Bee during normal business hours. Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note. If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee. com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.