- the Persian Magoes (wise men) were astronomers, probably priests of a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra, which was founded before the sixth century BC in ancient Persia (now Iran). They saw a celestial phenomenon that according to Zoroaster's prophecy indicated that somewhere would be born the world's Savior.
- The biblical text of the prophet Micah (5: 1-2) instead is very precise as to the place of birth of the Anointed of the Lord, that is namely Bethlehem.
- The imperial Census ordered by Octavian August was carried out six years before that of the rest if the Empire (*), because traditionally the Jews had to go to the place of origin of the family to be enrolled, so it was thought appropriate to anticipate to avoid confusion.
- Joseph was a descendant of David, the family was originally from Bethlehem.
- If King Herod was troubled, and knew well the Iesus' birth place, why he didn't search for Him and kill Him immediately? How could Joseph have time to flee to Egypt before the arrival of Herod's goons?
Although always since the middle ages a great emphasis was put on Jesus' birth that took place suddenly in a makeshift accommodation upon arrival in Bethlehem, Joseph had relatives there, and also the family home.
Presumably, immediately after the sudden Jesus' birth he went there and got accommodation in his familiar house, and he took there Mary and the Child as soon as possible.
Matthew writes: "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him."
Given that Gospels often insist about duties of solidarity and love towards the neighbor, even for enemies, and then for the bleakest times coming immediately before and after the fall of the western Roman Empire, a particular attention to insist and emphasize exaggerate pauperistic aspects was paid, mainly for religious propaganda reasons.
I think instead that wealth and poverty, happiness and unhappiness, are categories that depend on the attitude towards the world and reality, by creating or not to create unnecessary needs. and not by lack or abundance of resources or assets. St. Joseph wasn't in any way poor, alto not very much rich, and the same can be said for the Virgin Mary. In fact we can undestand that they brought up the baby Jesus in a more than affordable and not poor environment .
Lino Bertuzzi
(*) thus there was an error of the ancient clerics, who not having studied the Roman annales thought that the year of the Empire's Census was same than that of Palestine.
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Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 2,1-12.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, some wise men - the Magoes - from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the King of the Jews who is born? For we have seen his star, and are come to worship him.
" On hearing these words, King Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. They answered, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art not the least among the clans of Judah, from you shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel .
Then Herod summoned the wise men came to say exactly from them the time when the star had appeared and sent them to Bethlehem, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when ye have found him, bring me word, that me too may come and worship him."
They heard the king words and departed. And the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, by another way they returned to their country.
