Chaldean Magi spot the awaited sign to begin their journey.

Preparations had to be made, in order to safely cross the desert.
The magi would not arrive for another year or so.
This is why Herod orders all males of the age of 2 or younger to be murdered.
The Herods were a large family of inbred nominal "jews".
Here we are speaking of "Herod the Great".
The one that "Jesus' dealt with was Archelaus, who he called a sly fox.
He meant it as an insult.