The Magi were never kings. They weren’t magicians either. They were Zoroastrian priests, forbidden sorcery, but skilled in astrology and interpreting dreams. Their names are given in many variations, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar; being the most familiar. They would have known the Messianic prophecies, and the sudden appearance of a new and brilliant star suggested the birth of a notable person. Many contemporary Roman writers bear witness that, at the time of the birth of Christ, there was throughout the Roman Empire, a general unrest and expectation of a Golden Age and a great deliverer.

From Persia, whence the Magi are supposed to have come, to Jerusalem was a journey of between 1000 and 1200 miles. Such a distance may have taken any time between three and twelve months by camel, plus many weeks of preparation. It was a year, or a little more than a year, after the birth of Christ that the Magi came, crossing the desert, between the Euphrates and Syria, reaching either Aleppo or Palmyra, then on to Damascus and southward. Their visit took place after the Presentation of the Child in the Temple.

Herod and his priests should have been delighted for the kudos alone, but perceived it as a threat. Behind the civil leers of welcome, he had a scheme brewing to search for and destroy this possible usurper. The prophet Micah foretold the place but not the address. Herod asked the Magi to return. "So that I too may go and worship him." As we know, they brought their gifts, amazed that one so great was born in such a place. Forewarned, they left by another route. Forewarned too, Joseph quietly packed and the little family left for Egypt in fear of their lives. It is not given to many to die instead of Christ. Herod . found out from the Magi the precise rise of the miraculous star that followed no known rule of astrology. Taking this for the time of the Child's birth, he slew the male children of two years old and under in Bethlehem and its borders. Around 26 children were seized and butchered. Jeremiah's prophecy had been fulfilled. (Jer 31: 15)

In England, we call it “Childermas” Their feast day has been commemorated since the 5th century AD. The cathedral of Cologne contains what are claimed to be the remains of the Magi; these, it is said, were discovered in Persia, brought to Constantinople by St. Helena, transferred to Milan in the fifth century and to Cologne in 1163

Hot Apple Punch This can be shared by children.
Take 2 x litres apple juice, 1 x orange, 6 x cloves, one cinnamon stick and some honey or demerara sugar to taste.
Wash the orange, dry and slice thinly. Stick the cloves into the slices. Seethe all, except the sugar, gently together for about half an hour to bring in the flavour of fruit and spices.
Add honey or sugar, to your taste, then ladle into warmed glasses or mugs. (Adults might add a shot of Calvados…)
Then the whole family can sing this verse of the carol “O little town of Bethlehem” and pray that we may protect and prepare our Innocents as they grow into our turbulent world.