After Jesus' birth in the lower room in a house, Joseph and Mary probably stayed at a relative's house in Bethlehem before going back to Nazareth. When Jesus was around a year old, men called magi (Gr. magoi, 'magician') who specialized in studying wisdom literature, astronomy, and the magic arts, travelled from Persia, east of Israel (modern Iran/Iraq). Many Jews were taken there when Babylon conquered Judah and deported some of them in 605 BC, including Daniel, who was considered a 'wise-man' (Dan. 5:11). Believers should face short-term difficulty with perseverance knowing their obedience will serve a long-term good (Rom. 8:28). Through the Jews, the magi had access to Balaam's prophecy that a 'star' would come out of Jacob and the time of the arrival of the Messiah (Num. 24:17; Dan. 9:24, 25). About 4 BC, they noticed an astronomical anomaly and providentially recognized it related to the birth of the Messiah of Israel. As priests and kingmakers, there was probably a large entourage who came from Babylon (~ 800 miles). God not only called poor, illiterate shepherds, but also the educated elite to show that all kinds of wise men still seek Him (Luke 2)!

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