In Sophia Institute Press’s new children’s book, The Wise Men Who Found Christmas, Catholic journalist and author Raymond Arroyo presents the traditional tale of the Three Wise Men or Magi who visited the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem with important, often overlooked historical details. Beautifully illustrated by Diane Le Feyer, Arroyo’s book brings to light factual questions about who the Magi were, their origins and relationship with Roman-occupied Judea’s King Herod. Arroyo joined Conservative Casual Friday show host Andrew E. Harrod for interesting discussion about the deeper realities behind the Magi, their historical context in the Middle East, and what they mean today, among other matters.
somehistory says
I watched a documentary several years ago on this subject. One of the things told was that the Babylonian stargazers…astrologers…had selected a star for each nation on earth that they knew about and when a certain star appeared, they knew it meant a King in Israel had been born.
They traveled to see him with gifts befitting a King…very expensive gifts…and when they arrived after the long journey, Jesus was in a house. Due to His age, herod decreed all little baby boys under two would have to be killed because he …herod…was an evil servant of the devil, and satan did not want Jesus to grow up.
bill carr says
It is a historical fact that Herod was not on the throne when Jesus was allegedly born. The Wise men story is just on of many mythical stories in the bible. Three such famous men would not have travelled without an escort in those times. Also if Herod had, as alleged, heard from them
about the ‘king’ he would hardly have released them to be able to warn the family!
somehistory says
you are free to disbelieve whatever you choose, but your disbelief is not proof of anything except your disbelief.
And you show your ignorance. The Bible does not say there were *three* of them. that number is based on the three kinds of gifts….of which there could have been many of each. the number of men is not given, so your argument falls flat.
Jesus was around the age of Two Years….it wasn’t at His birth that the Babylonian men visited and presented the gifts. herod was “district ruler.” He was never a “king” on a “throne.”
And you failed to give any ‘historical fact” about herod. or to cite your source.
So, here for your enlightenment is a tiny snippet of history.
Herod Antipas (Greek: Ἡρῴδης Ἀντίπας, Hērǭdēs Antipas; born before 20 BC – died after 39 AD), was a 1st-century ruler of Galilee and Perea, who bore the title of tetrarch (“ruler of a quarter”) and is referred to as both “Herod the Tetrarch” and “King Herod” in the New Testament, although he never held the title of king.
somehistory says
the father of this herod, was the one who was “king herod” when Jesus was visited by the Babylonians…two herods make it confusing, but the King herod of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth was not the same one when Jesus was tried and put to death. He is listed in Luke as ‘district ruler.”
So, herod was ruling when the so-called Wise men” visited Jerusalem and inquired as to where they could find the “king of the Jews.” He wanted them to find Jesus and report back to him, but they were warned in a dream to go home by another way, and that is why this ruthless king of Judea had all of the little babies killed.
I hope this clears up any confusion about the “historical facts”
https://study.com/academy/lesson/king-herod-history-reign-death.html
CarolHBlair says
The Christmas carol “We Three Kings,” in its 2nd – 5th verses, explains the significance of the three gifts:
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain; Gold I bring to crown Him again;
King forever,
Ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising,
All men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume, Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in a stone-cold tomb.
Glorious now, behold Him arise: King! and God! and Sacrifice!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Heard through the earth and skies.
So, gold is for a king; incense (frankincense) is for a god (God); and myrrh is a burial spice, for the One Who would be the ultimate sacrifice for sin for all people and for all time.
somehistory says
thank you for that.