A star "in the east"... yet "westward leading."

[Beartracks]

The 3 Wise Men were from the east, implying they did indeed travel westward to Jerusalem.

So, does "in the east" simply mean that the magi saw the star from their vantage point "in the east"? As in, "We saw a star (while) in the east, and followed it to your western town."

Just curious...

And Merry Christmas!

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[Loki Liesmith]

1. Westward leading is from a hymn not scripture

But one presumes it would be moving west if they were following it.

[Beartracks]

2. Did a little Googling, and "in the east" ...

... could likely refer to where the star rises. That is to say, ALL stars appear in the east (and move toward the west).
So the new star, the Jesus star, rises in the east, catching the attention of the magi, who then follow it to the west until it stops over Bethlehem.

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[eShirl]

4. that

[krispos42]

5. Wouldn't they head east first?

East turning gradually south then gradually west?

Would they wind up south of their starting point after walking in a half circle?

[eShirl]

3. if they're following it at night,

wouldn't it slowly swing around to the western sky as it gets closer to dawn?

[Irish_Dem]

6. The star was a nav system, it led the Magis to Jesus.

East could have meant "rising" and they saw it rise in the west and followed it where it was stationary over the manger.

Or the star could have risen in the east and moved towards the west.