From South America to Eastern Europe and Asia, Christmas folktales describe the Nativity scene, with three kings or wise men holding precious gifts for the baby Jesus. Is this story true? Is it consistent with actual events? Let us see it.

Two gospel accounts, Matthew and Luke, record the birth of Jesus. These accounts show that only ordinary shepherds from the nearby fields came to meet Jesus at his birth. Those so-called kings or scholars were actually not royalty but astrologers and their number is unknown. Some time must have passed when they reached Jerusalem after their long journey from the East. Jesus, who was no longer a newborn baby, was not in a stable but in a house. The astrologers did not travel to a newborn baby in a manger but arrived at a time when Jesus was a little older—no longer a newborn—and was at home. Their presence even put Jesus' life at risk!

Take a close look at the account of the birth of Jesus by the Bible writer Luke and you will see that it says: “The shepherds were stationed in the fields, and kept watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord came to them and stood, and .  .  . He said to them,  .  . You will see a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.  .  .  .  Then they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger." - Luke 2:8-16.

Only Joseph, Mary and the shepherds were present with the baby Jesus. No one else is listed in Luke's account.

Now examine the account recorded in Matthew 2:1-11: 'After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, behold, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.' Then Herod sent them to Bethlehem and the account goes on to say, “After They went into the house and found the child with Mary his mother.”

Note that the account only says "a few scholars" not "three scholars," and they traveled from the East first to Jerusalem, not to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. When they finally reached Bethlehem, the 'baby' Jesus was no longer in the stable but in the house.

Also, although the Bible uses the term "some scholars" to describe these visitors, other translations use the words "magicians" or "astrologers."  According to a book (English) about the Gospel of Matthew, the expression "a few scholars" is translated from "a Greek noun" "referring mainly to Persian priests who were skilled in astrology." And The Expanded Vines' Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines the word as "a sorcerer, sorcerer, one who claims magical powers, a professor of occultism."

Although astrology and occultism are still popular today, the Bible warns against using them. (Isaiah 47:13-15) These are all forms of spiritism and practices that God hates. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) This is why no angel of God announced the birth of Jesus to the astrologers. But, in a dream of divine intervention, they were warned not to return to the wicked King Herod, because the king was looking for an opportunity to kill Jesus. Therefore, "they went another way to their own country." - Matthew 2:11-16.

Would true Christians want to perpetuate a myth about the birth of Jesus that distorts the facts surrounding Jesus' birth? The answer is definitely no.