This study introduces a comet candidate to explain the Star that the Magi associated with the birth of Jesus as described in the biblical book of Matthew. By utilising observations of a comet recorded in Chinese annals in 5 BCE, a novel numerical technique was used to compute an orbit for this comet that could have passed very close to Earth in early June of 5 BCE, exhibiting ‘temporary geosynchronous’ motion. This is the first astronomical candidate for the Star ever identified that could have had apparent motion corresponding to the description in Matthew, where the Star ‘went before’ the Magi on their journey to Bethlehem until it ‘stood over’ where the child Jesus was. The study also examines how the Magi may have been influenced by ancient beliefs about comets, as described in Greco-Roman astrological writings, contemporary cuneiform omen texts, and the belief system of astrological geography. There is also a discussion of how this comet candidate corresponds to the chronology of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.