Why is it that in just about every nativity scene the wise men are there?

Answer 1

Because people took for granted that this happened thinking they know the story.
IF one goes to the actual account in the bible - the "wise men" went to Herod first to ask for direction and got told the wrong way. By the time they found Jesus, it was at least two months after and Jesus would NOT have been in the stable.

(Herod ordered all children up to two years old to be killed after he sent the wise men away. IF Jesus was a new born, why would Herod ordered for babies up to two years to be killed? Unless he really didn't know how long ago the prophesied baby was born)

Answer 2

Good point.
What many call the "wise men" were magi. These guys were from a place that practiced astrology, astronomy, and natural science.

They didn't go to Jesus when they got to Bethlehem. When they got to town they started asked "Where is He who as been born King of the Jews...we are here to worship him." Herod got all pushed out of shape (he was king at the time).

Herod starts checking with the chief priests and scribes asking where the Messiah was to be born. They told him right here in Bethlehem man!

Herod secretly calls the Magi and lies to them saying go search for the Child so I may come and worship Him.

They were led to the HOUSE (not manger) where Jesus was. These magi give Jesus gifts. (Did Jesus need this stuff?, He was God !)

Anyway God had to intervene here to protect Jesus and sent the Magi away by another route.

And God also protected Jesus, Mary and Joseph, he sent an angel to tell Joseph, get out of town for awhile, till Herod was out of the picture.

Herod then commits infanticide and has ALL THE MALE CHILDREN WHO WERE IN BETHLEHEM AND ITS VICINITY FROM TWO YEARS OLD AND UNDER, ACCORDING TO THE TIME FRAME THAT THE MAGI GAVE HIM.

So no, I don't think the magi have a place in the Nativity.

Answer 3

The wise man are generally thought to be part of the "birth of Christ" story. However, we don't know HOW many wise men there were (just that it was a plural number) and by the time they reached Christ, He would not have been a newborn. Traveling back in those days took a long time!

Answer 4

Because someone did not read The Book before they made the scene. It seems that it must have been some days before that arrived to see Jesus because Matthew chapter 2 says that "After the birth" they stopped to see King Herod, and then traveled to find Jesus.. Few Christians will take note of this confirmation that there is some possible truth to the people who believe in astrology.. Watch them stars.

Answer 5

Good question. My guess is popular misconception, since the Bible indicates that the wise men found Jesus is a house a while after he was born, not is the stable with the shepherds.

Answer 6

Because the Wise Men or Three Kings were there, along with the Shepherds,
Animals, Joseph, Mary, and Angels. They gathered around the Manger where Jesus laid, on that first Christmas Night in Bethlehem.

Answer 7

Because people don't understand exactly when the wise men showed up. It's forgivable.

Answer 8

They were very wise men and had riches, they wanted to see the Christ Child. A Bright Star shone in the heavens and they knew that it was him, they were waiting for him.
They followed the star and it took them to Jesus, in the stable
They worshiped him and gave gifts of frankincense, gold , and myrrh

Answer 9

The same reason kids think the Easter bunny and Santa are real.

Plus, no one really puts 2 + 2 together when they read scripture. It's like they need a time line running along every page to show then exactly what happened and when. When did everyone quit using their brains??

Answer 10

Because the story of the birth of Jesus Christ clearly states that the wise men came from the east to bring gifts to the newborn king. They followed the star.