Every now and then, I like to revisit some of the misconceptions of the story of the magi in the Bible. I think this might be a good time, as Christmas approaches.

In Matthew 2, the Bible gives us the account of the visit of the Magi. Everyone knows there were three, except we don’t. The Bible only says that the Magi visited and it implies that there were more than one. If you look at the passage technically, the Bible refers to them in plural, 2 or more. I would think there were not 20, as I think the Bible would have said so. Indeed, there might have been three, but there might have also been 4 or 5. Beyond that, I would expect that they had an entourage with them, maybe 50 servants.

Some say that the reason that people say there were three is that that there were three presents. That part, the Bible states clearly. Each of the gifts have a spiritual and political meaning. They are indeed gifts fit for a king. However, at least one of them spoke of the death he would suffer and die on the cross for us.

Second, we know that they visited him in the manger, only that’s not right. In Matthew 2:11 specifically starts, “On coming to the house.”

This is easily explained by the 3rd misconception, that they visited the night of His birth. In no way does the Bible say that. The clear implication is that the wisemen did not start their journey until the birth. It very likely took them 1 to 2 years to get to Him. In the meantime, Joseph likely set down roots in Bethlehem and moved into a house. It also explains why Herod instructed his men to kill all babies under 2.

Finally, it would be a good idea to remember, Jesus was genetically, a descendent of Abraham, Judah and David a Jew. Each was given the promise Jesus would be in their line. Most of their descendants were light skinned, mostly a somewhat olive tone. However, David had red hair and fair skin. We also know that at least one of his sons had blonde hair. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that Jesus was brown or Black. This is not to say that there is any less of a Christian bond between non-white peoples and Jesus. It just is, let’s keep our facts strait. God did promise Abraham a savior in his ancestry. He again repeated the promise with Israel (Jacob) and David. It is why God insisted that the Jews not intermarry with other nationalities. If he permitted them to intermarry, then He would not be keeping his promise to any of the three men.

May I remind one and all, that also means I don’t have any physical relation to Jesus either, that is, unless there is something in my ancestry I don’t know about.

Regardless, no matter our ancestry, it would be best if we all put it aside. It is, I am sure, what God wants us to do. Jesus died so that we all have direct access to the thrown of God through Jesus, no matter what color our skin is… or isn’t.