Matthew 2:9 After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 2:10 When they saw the star they shouted joyfully.

‘”Magi” (not “wise men”-KJV) were pagan astrologers whose divinatory skills were widely respected in the Greco-Roman world; astrology had become popular through the “science” of the East, and everyone agreed that the best astrologers lived in the East. The Old Testament explicitly forbade such prognostication from signs (Deut 18:11; cf. Isa 2:6; 47:11-15), prescribing true prophecy instead.’ Deut 18:15 (NT Background Commentary)

In the ancient world, the distinction between astrology and astronomy was blurred.  It is clear that the magi would have made regular observations of the heavens.  Given Scripture’s antagonism towards astrology (see above) it seems likely that what they observed on this occasion transcended their usual astrological assumptions and beliefs.

HSB asks: ‘Can God speak through astrology? Yes, for he did it once. Is it then a normal means of his revelation? By no means! God has given us his Word, a far more accurate and fuller means of revelation. Yet when his people are ignoring his Word, it may well be that God will speak to some pagan through the stars and that pagan will respond with a faith that shames the indifference of the people who claim to be God’s and who are custodians of his revelatory book.’

However, we would argue that even though the magi were astrologers, it was not astrology as such that led them to the new-born King.  They were no doubt utilising astrological meanings of the constellations and so on.  But no astrological almanac foretold the birth of Jesus.  It was, rather, the promises of God as written in Scripture that gave significance and meaning to the star, and brought them to Bethlehem.

‘Although the Magi were astrologers, the story does not encourage astrology in general, any more than the appearances of Moses at the Transfiguration supports the practice of spiritualism. There will be signs in the heavens before the Second Coming; (Lk 21:25) the sun was darkened before Christ died on the cross; and Josephus says that a comet was seen for a whole year before the destruction of Jerusalem (BJ vi.5.3). Thus we need not be surprised if some phenomenon such as a comet appeared at the time of Christ’s birth.’ (ISBE)

Augustine wisely said: ‘Christ was not born because the star shone forth, but it shone forth because Christ was born; we should say not that the star was fate for Christ, but that Christ was fate for the star.’