We usually don’t put the Magi in our manger scene at home when we put it out. One year, I actually set the Magi in the kitchen with the rest of the manger scene in the Living Room. Why? Because the Magi actually were not at the manger at Christ’s birth.
I know, I know, we always picture the manger scene with Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Shepherds, Cattle, etc., and the Magi. Yet, what does the Scripture say?
Luke chapter 2 tells about Christ’s birth and the visit of the shepherds. It continues with His circumcision (on the 8th day), Mary’s purification (40 days), and their sacrifice at the Temple.
Matthew chapter 2 tells us that after Jesus was born, the Magi went to Herod to find out where Jesus was. Herod refers to Jesus as the young child (not baby). The Bible records that the Magi entered a house not a manger, stable, or Inn. Later, the Bible says that after the Magi departed, Joseph was told to go to Egypt and so he went.
Since Joseph was told to go to Egypt right after the Magi left, and so he did, that most likely took place after Mary’s 40 days of purification. By this point, too, they would have been in a house. Also, since Herod wanted all children under 2 killed, Jesus could have been up to 2 years old by the time the Magi visited Him, and would not have been at the manger at that time.
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