Debunking the Myths of Christmas Sample

Did Three Kings Visit Jesus In The Manger?

The Bible never tells us that there were only three wise men. We have no idea how many there were. This is an assumption because three gifts were given to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  

The Bible identifies them as “magi” and not as kings.

Who were the magi? They were wealthy, educated, Babylonian or Persian scholars whose expertise ranged from astronomy, mathematics, magic, medicine, philosophy, and prophecy. Our words “magician” and “magistrate” both come from the word “magi.”

The Old Testament mentions the magi on multiple occasions, including over twenty times in the famous life of Daniel. 

Daniel, as the chief magi in Babylon, would have been aware of the Old Testament prophecies in Numbers 24: 17  - A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel and Micah 5:2 - But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times 

Daniel would have passed down these teachings to the magi he managed. Evidently, they also shared Daniel’s teachings with subsequent magi until, 500 years later, the wise men in the Christmas story saw Daniel’s predictions fulfilled.

In the nativity scene, we often see wise men huddled around a newborn Jesus in a stable, but the Bible speaks clearly that they did not come to the manger, but to a house.

Matthew begins the magi story in Matthew 2:1-2 with the Greek word dé (“now” in English), or in some translations ‘after’ and he uses it as a way of transitioning (Mt 2:1). Matthew also says the wise men met Jesus and Mary at a “house” not a stable (Mt 2:11).

We can infer from the two pieces of evidence in the text that the wise men visited Jesus at least a year after His birth, and probably closer to two years. Jesus was no longer "lying in a manger." Instead, Mary and Joseph had been residents of Bethlehem long enough to rent or purchase a proper house. 

We also read that after Herod discovered when the star of Bethlehem had appeared, he calculated that he would have to kill every boy two years old and under if he were to get rid of this new “King of the Jews” (Mt 2:7, 16). This means that the wise men probably appeared within the first two years of Jesus’ life.

Quote: Though many kings of the Jews had been born and died, none of them did the Magi seek to adore. And so they who came from a distant foreign land to a kingdom that was entirely strange to them…But they had learnt that such a King was born that by adoring Him they might be sure of obtaining from Him the salvation which is of God.” – Saint Augustine

Prayer: Lord I thank you that the wise men came in search of you when you came into this world. Help me too to have a hunger and thirst to know you. Amen