Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italian English

Dear Father,
can we presumably think that the Magi arrived in Bethlehem on January 6, 13 days after the birth of Jesus? I also ask you: how was St. Thomas able to say that the star that guided the Magi also gave light during the day?
I send you my warmest wishes and thank you.

Priest’s answer

Dear Vincenzo,
1. One thing is certain: the presentation at the temple must have taken place before the flight into Egypt because Joseph at the announcement of the angel who warned him that Herod wanted to kill the child “rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” (Mt 2,14).

2. We don’t know exactly when the Magi came from the East.

If they came after the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, there is no problem. In the meantime the Holy family had returned to Bethlehem.
In this case the Angel’s announcement to Joseph occurred a few days later and the holy family fled to Egypt.

Marco Sales is of this opinion. He writes: “They arrived in Jerusalem probably a year after the birth of Jesus, since Herod in fact had children from the age of two years old killed, and before the massacre of the innocents, the presentation of the temple, the journey to Nazareth and the return of the holy family Bethlehem had to have taken place”. (t.n)

3.The antiphon to the Magnificat on the feast of the Epiphany says that on that day, although in subsequent years, three wonders occurred: the coming of the Magi, the wedding at Cana and the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
There is no reason that the arrival of the Magi could have occurred a year later.

4. Is it legitimate to think that they arrived 13 days after Christmas, that is, on January 6, on the day we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany?

And if they came from far away, how did they arrive so soon?

5. Here is St. Thomas’ answer: “And it should be noted that some explain this as from the end of the east; but then how had they come in so few days? And the response is, as some say, that they came miraculously; others, that they had camels. But Chrysostom says that the star appeared to them two years before the birth, and that they prepared themselves at that time, and came to Jerusalem in two years and three days” (Commentary to MAtthew’s Gospel).
If they arrived from the most distant region, that is, from Persia, it is likely that they could have arrived on January 6th. Dromedaries travel up to 150 km a day. Multiplying 150 by 12 we will arrive at 1800 km. The distance between Persia and Israel is 1786 km.

6. You ask how we know that the star also gave light during the day.

St. Thomas writes about it: “And one should note that this star was not one of the first things caused, which is clear from four things. 

First, from motion, because no star moves from the north into the south. Now, the region of the Persians, from which these magi came, is set in the north. Likewise, the other stars never rest; but this one did not move constantly. Third, from time, because no star shines in the day, but this one offered light to the magi during the day. Fourth, from position, because it was not positioned in the firmament, as is clear, because the magi clearly picked out the house by means of it.

And so one should say that this star had been specially created for the service of Christ. And therefore it says, we have seen his star, i.e., the one made for his service.” (Ib.).
We must assume that the Magi traveled during the day and not at night.

Wishing you all the best, I bless you and I remember you in prayer.
Father Angelo