What was the star? And how did it lead the magi to the Lord? There have been many speculations.

The apostle Matthew records that the birth of Jesus was accompanied by an extraordinary celestial event: a star that led the magi1 (the wise men‚) to Jesus. This star went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was‚ (Matthew 2:9). What was this star? And how did it lead the magi to the Lord? There have been many speculations.