The account of the wise men from the east opposes the influence of Baylonian astrological religion (as seen in the accounts of Simon Magus and Elymas (Acts 8:9–11; Acts 13:6–8)). The star that led the wise men to real power showed that the newborn king had power greater than all the stars and planets.
In the time of the New Testament the traditional religions were in strong decline. In terms of the traditional religions, the only real competitor of Christianity at the time was the Babylonian magi, who maintained their own rituals aimed at connecting with the divine. Simon Magus and Elymas the magician crossed paths with Philip and Paul (Acts 8:9–11, Acts 13:6–8). It is therefore understandable that the ancient Church used the symbol of the star in their polemics against astrology, since according to the astrologers the time when the star rose supposedly marked the moment on which the newly born king triumphed over all powers in the realm of the stars and planets.1
2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”