Or was it something supernatural–like an angel or the shekinah glory?
John Chrysostom, (~349–407 CE) was a “notable Christian bishop and preacher from the fourth and fifth centuries in Syria and Constantinople.” He was famous for his eloquent public speaking and preaching. He speculated that “His star” was not really a star at all, but an angel who visually guided the Magi to the exact spot where the young child was.
“…that this star was not of the common sort, or rather not a star at all…but some invisible power transformed into this appearance…there is not any star that moves by this way… For it appears not in the night, but in mid-day, while the sun is shining…from appearing and hiding itself again…For on their way as far as Palestine it appeared leading them, but after they set foot within Jerusalem, it hid itself; then again, when they had left Herod, having told him on what account they came, and were on the point of departing, it shows itself; all which is not like the motion of a star, but of some power highly endued with reason. For it had not even any course at all of its own, but when they were to move, it moved; when to stand, it stood, dispensing all as need required; in the same kind of way as the pillar of the cloud…did the star point out a spot so confined, just the space of a manger and shed…”
[Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew VI, 3]
Because of the mysterious nature of “his star,” many well-intentioned Christians have adopted the view that the star was not a natural object, even an extraordinary one such as a comet or supernova, but rather a supernatural object such as an angel or the shekinah glory.
By classifying the star as something (anything) miraculous, this relieves them of having to offer a natural (scientific) explanation of the star itself, and how the astronomical knowledge and esoteric wisdom of the wise men enabled them to take action based on their celestial observations that led them to the King of Kings.
“Seest thou, by what store of proofs this star is shown not to be one of the many, nor to have shown itself according to the order of the outward creation? …and He shows a large and extraordinary star, so as to astonish them, both at the greatness and beauty of its appearance, and the manner of its course.”
[Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew VI, 4]
“…this was not one of the ordinary stars, for there is not so much as one star that hath this nature. And it not merely moved, but ‘went before them,’ drawing and guiding them on in mid-day…Moreover, the star, when it stood over the young Child, stayed its course again: which thing itself also was of a greater power than belongs to a star, now to hide itself, now to appear, and having appeared to stand still.”
[Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew VII, 4]