Did the Magi find Jesus in the manger?

[rafael_vicho]

This is my contention with anti-Catholics. They are saying that Catholics are wrong when it says that the Magi found Jesus in the manger. They are using a passage in Matthew that says “house.” How should I answer this?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

How should I answer this?

With a shrug. The Church has no position on whether the Magi found the Infant Jesus in a manger or in a house. The passage in question is as follows:

When they [the Magi] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Matt. 2:10-11).

It is very possible that by the time the Magi found the Holy Family, they had indeed been able to find accommodations in town. Mary and Joseph would hardly have wanted to stay in a stable with a newborn any longer than absolutely necessary. I suspect that your inquirers are hoping to score points because nativity scenes often include the Magi at the manger of Christ. Such crèches are not a strictly factual depiction of historical events but artistic representations of the major figures in the Christmas story gathered around the Infant Jesus.