The Bible does say that Magi, or wise men — highly intelligent and well-educated scholars — came from the East to visit Jesus. It is unreasonable to think that these wise men were kings in the way that tradition depicts them because how could kings abandon their kingdoms to go on a multi-year star-chasing expedition?
The Bible does not state the number of wise men that came from the East, only that they gave Jesus three types of gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The assumption that there were only three wise men is questionable. I find it unbelievable that there were only three intellectual, curious, and adventurous men who were eager to see where this unusually bright and glorious star led them. The westward expedition would have been even more enticing than seeking buried treasure or searching an undiscovered land.
Not only that, but these wise men were carrying very valuable tributes that would be a temptation for evil-minded men to rob and steal. Therefore, it would not be safe for the wise men to travel in a small group: A larger group would be necessary for their protection.
No one today knows how the wise men travelled either. Never were camels mentioned in connection to the wise men, or in, around, or near the place where Jesus was born.
Here is the Biblical account from Matthew 2:7-12:
"Then Herod sent a private message to the wise men, asking them to come see him. At this meeting he learned the exact time when they first saw the star. Then he told them, 'Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him too!'
"After this interview the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before Him and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
"But when it was time to leave, they went home another way because God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod."
As the Biblical story continues, it reveals another falsehood: when the wise men see Jesus for the first time, He is still a baby lying in a manger. However, the below Scripture verse indicates otherwise.
"Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him.
He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were
two years old and under, based on the wise men's report of the star's first appearance."
Matthew 2:16
Jesus, therefore, could have been as much as two years old when He received the historically recorded visit from these wise men.
The purpose of the wise men in the Christmas story, the purpose of having them kneel down in reverent worship to Jesus and giving Him gifts worthy only for a true King, was to show honour to Jesus' kingship. The focus should not be on these wise men. The only king in the Christmas story was Jesus Christ!
Because the story of Christmas has been told and retold a certain way for so many years, people still fall back on the distorted views surrounding the birth of Jesus, instead of going straight to God's Word to get the accurate account.
I hope to see in the future more Christmas plays and songs that are based on Biblical facts, not illogical assumptions and hearsay. Hopefully this will encourage people to think, ponder, and study God's Word for themselves, instead of just believing whatever they are told.
***Blooper***
My kitten wanted to worship Jesus too!
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