One of the most intriguing questions surrounding the narrative in Matthew 2 is how and why any celestial observer, anywhere in the world, at any time, could or would make a connection between celestial signs and the birth of a Jewish Messiah.
Prior to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth there was no clear expectation of either a natural or supernatural “star,” or any celestial object, that would “appear” to announce the birth of the Hebrew Messiah. There is no indication that Mesopotamian celestial observers, let alone Jewish celestial observers, were waiting and watching for a stellar manifestation of any kind, miraculous or otherwise.
How is it then, that Gentile celestial observers were the first (apart from the shepherds who were informed by angelic visitation) to recognize the birth of the Jewish Messiah?