Belen or manger scene is a Filipino traditional decor during christmas
It depicts the birth of Jesus Christ . The belen shows Mary, Joseph , Jesus , the angel, sheperds and the 3 wise men with their gifts.
From my chidhood I was made to believe that aside from the shepherds , Jesus had the magi as visitor in the manger . My question is, how long did Mary, Joseph and Jesus stayed in a manger? When did the Magi visited Mary and Jesus? Although not stated in the Bible , but to stay in a manger for a year or two seems not possible. Matthew chapter 2 tells a story about king Herods’ conversation with the Magi . Herod told them to tell him what time they saw a star and he calculated it to be two years , that is why he commanded his men to kill all boys in Bethlehem aging from 2 years down to infants when he realised the Magi deceived him by going out of Bethlehem the other way . Furthermore, Mathew 2: 11 says” on coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worship Him”
Base on this I believed that the 3 wise men visited Jesus not on the manger but on their home. Afterall who would stay in a manger for weeks much more so for 2 years. So when I prepare my belen this coming christmas I prefer not to include the 3 wise men.
the fatfeet 