Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 2:9

"And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was." — Matthew 2:9 (ASV)

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Yet it was not a wandering star, nor a shooting star; but a traveling star such as they had never seen before.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

It was probably not a star in the sense in which we use the word: that is, a planet or a fixed star; but a meteoric brightness that moved in the sky and so guided the wise men. They do not appear to have seen its light after they set out on their journey; it directed them to the region of Judea, so they came to the capital city, Jerusalem. When they departed from Herod, the star appeared again and guided them to the little town of Bethlehem, where they found the Christ.

God may sometimes send us stars, bright lights of joy, to guide us on our way; he may also take them away again, and then we must walk by faith. When they reappear, we shall be glad to have them once more, as the wise men were.