In today's world, many think of them only as the Wisemen. They are also known as the Three Kings who were eyewitnesses to the Nativity and bringers of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Infant Jesus. Their story is well known and widely celebrated. Though documented in just a few scant verses of Biblical text - and recorded in just one of the Gospels that tells the story of the Nativity - nations nevertheless celebrate their exploits and revel in the symbolism their story conveys.

Those elements, in their simplicity, add to the charm of the Christmas story. But in reality, the story of the Magi is more complex. When fully exposed, one feels the story would make a great movie. It is one filled with mystery, adventure, magic and the murderous designs of an evil king.

Who really were these wise men? Where did they come from? What made them follow the star to Bethlehem? Why are they called the Magi? And what is their significance in the story of Christmas? These compelling questions lead to a fascinating perspective on the very meaning of Christmas itself.

~ The Story ~

The story is cryptically told by Matthew in the New Testament. Introduced only as "wise men from the East" they came to Jerusalem to inquire of the newborn "King of the Jews".

Imagine the stir they must have caused.

No doubt these were men of a different culture. Their description as "wise men" means they were highly regarded, they must have had a striking physical appearance and the very way they portrayed themselves left a lasting impression. To some of the more learned in Jerusalem's society their very appearance must have been shocking because the scriptures had long foretold the arrival of foreign kings and gentiles bearing gifts of gold and frankincense for the promised Messiah. Though legend tells us there were three, we have no actual count of the number of individuals known as the Magi who came inquiring to Jerusalem.

But however many there were, they got the attention of King Herod too.

"Herod" was actually a family name of a line of kings who ruled Judea before, during and after the lifetime of Jesus Christ. At the time of Jesus' birth, Herod the Great was king. And he was an evil, tyrannical dictator.

In fact, just as the names Stalin and Hitler today are synonymous with evil rule, Herod the Great was infamous for his crimes against his Jewish subjects. Herod himself was not Jewish, of course. His heritage and family were Idumeans, far from Judea in distance and very different in culture.

Herod the Great was a self-absorbed king and he was forever suspicious of political opposition. He once executed a wife and several sons of people he suspected were plotting against him. He heavily taxed his people to support his lavish lifestyle. And before he died, he directed that a number of well-known Jewish individuals be slain on the day of his death to ensure that people would actually mourn on that day.

The arrival of high-profile visitors who came to worship a king other than Herod must have been most disturbing to Herod. He hastily called his priests and experts in Jewish scripture to determine what this all meant. They told him that ancient prophecy predicted the birth of Christ in Bethlehem and that the Child was destined to be a ruler over Israel.

With evil designs in his heart, King Herod called the Magi before him. He told them that the Messiah was born in the city of Bethlehem. He instructed them to go there to find the Child. "Go and search diligently for the child and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."

Following the star once again, the Magi traveled to Bethlehem, located the lowly stable that housed Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus. There they worshipped the Child and gave unto him their treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Upon falling asleep after these events, they were told in a dream to avoid going back to Jerusalem because of the evil designs of the King.

Herod, of course, eventually found out the Magi had given him the slip. In a rage, he ordered all male children under the age of two in Israel to be put to death. Joseph, being likewise instructed in a dream, was told to flee to Egypt and await the day of Herod's death.