“Visit of the Wise Men” by Hollis Frances

Visit of the Wise Men

Hollis Frances
Independently Published (2025)
ASIN:  B0FVMP539R
Reviewed by Terri Stepek for Reader Views (09/2026)

If you have any interest in archaeology relating to Biblical times, or the history of the Jewish and/or Christian beliefs, author Hollis Frances is probably someone you’ll want to meet.  A remarkable man with a solid ability to research ancient facts, Frances loves to help others see the connections, the evidence, and the history of these two major religions.  Of special interest to him is potential evidence within the Mazzaroth—the Hebrew Zodiac.  His diligent research led him to create The Alter Called Witness, a quarterly journal laying out this information and so much more.  He now offers a special edition, The Visit of the Wisemen Men.  Prepare yourself for profound concepts you never saw coming.

Before we get into the details, most of us will need a little foundation building.  “Alter” in Hebrew/Yiddish means “Old One” or “old man.”  The title The Alter Called Witness makes a  little more sense if you know this fact.  The Mazzaroth is, as mentioned, the ancient Hebrew Zodiac.  The Hebrew people looked at the same stars we do today.  But the names they chose for constellations were entirely different,  naturally relating to their society and times.  With the advent of new technology, including the astronomy software known as Starry Night 8, Hollis investigates what the heavens looked like in Jesus’ day and what it meant.  This is the same software that filmmaker and lawyer Jim Larson used for the fascinating documentary, The Star of Bethlehem.

In seeking out information on the Mazzaroth and what signs the stars might have given during Biblical times, be aware that this is not astrology.  This is the science of astronomy, which the Magi used to find and follow the Bethlehem star.  What’s the difference?  Among other things, the concept of prophetic signs in the heavens (as determined by the science of astronomy) is Biblical, found in both the Old and New Testaments.

Hollis Frances presents an unusual and remarkable array of information regarding not only what the heavens declared, but also an understanding of what life was like in small cities the size of Bethlehem, what the customs and rituals were, including preparation for the weekly Sabbath.  Readers will gain an understanding of the general population, its trades and guilds.  Of particular interest to me was the nature of the shepherds’ duties in the town of Bethlehem.  Their flocks were not ordinary, and were not raised for ordinary purposes. Screenshots of important dates and where the stars were in the sky (and what that meant) are also included.  For some, it may take more than one glance to read and comprehend what’s going on in these photos.  It did for me.  But once I understood what was being shown and how Frances was interpreting these signs, it began to make incredible sense.

As the author focuses on both the Jewish traditions and the Christian beliefs, this quarterly print has recommended readings that provide insight from the Jewish perspective combined with New Testament readings, which together serve to strengthen Christian beliefs.  Also included is a meditation on “Messiah’s Deity and Micah 5:2” by Avram Yehoshua, founder of The Seed of Abraham.  Yehoshua also has reflections on the history of Christmas (why Dec. 25^th) and even Santa Claus.  Whatever your take on these views, Yehoshua definitely offers profound questions that deserve some personal consideration.

This is the second edition by Hollis Francesthat I’ve had the privilege to read.  As with the first, I found Visit of the Wisemen to be an insightful, interesting, and intense read that required my full attention.  These deep dives aren’t going to be for everyone.  But for those who want a historic, Jewish/Hebraic understanding of Christianity, chances are good that you’ll find yourself enlightened and determined to learn more.  Christians miss much of the deeper meaning in scriptures simply because we don’t have the Jewish background to understand the implications of some of the original words used.  Hollis Frances wants to change that.