This bears repeating: The wise men did NOT see Jesus in Bethlehem (in Judea) where the birth took place as Nativity plays and scenes depict; this is purely artistic license. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem, but the wise men visited and presented their gifts for the baby Jesus --after Mary and Joseph had already returned to their home -- in Nazareth, the district of Galilee. Mary and Joseph fled Bethlehem with the baby when they received word that Herod had ordered the killing of all boys age 2 and under. The Magi (wise men) had not yet found Jesus, and did not know for certain if he had actually been born yet as was prophesied, when those orders were given.
Herod "was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."
Matthew 2:11 "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh."
This bears repeating: The wise men did NOT see Jesus in Bethlehem (in Judea) where the birth took place as Nativity plays and scenes depict; this is purely artistic license. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem, but the wise men visited and presented their gifts for the baby Jesus --after Mary and Joseph had already returned to their home -- in Nazareth, the district of Galilee. Mary and Joseph fled Bethlehem with the baby when they received word that Herod had ordered the killing of all boys age 2 and under. The Magi (wise men) had not yet found Jesus, and did not know for certain if he had actually been born yet as was prophesied, when those orders were given.
Herod "was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."
Matthew 2:11 "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh."