The idea for Mystery of the Magi first appeared when Dr. Matthew Bunson asked me to write an article about the origins of the wise men for Catholic Answers magazine. I was aware of the opinions of the academics that the Magi story was either a fantasy, or that the Magi (if they existed) were Zoroastrian priests from Parthia.
I wondered, however, if there might be more than meets the eye, and I asked whether the Old Testament prophecies about the Magi might indicate their origin. Reading “dromedaries from Midian and Ephah, and from Sheba they will come” in Isaiah turned my attention to Arabia. A bit of research opened up the fascinating history of the Nabatean people and the exotic intrigue of the incense trade routes, and soon the rest of the story of this book tumbled together in an amazing way.
I am not a scholar by any stretch of the imagination, so I am grateful for the courteous manner in which my questions were answered by those who are. Dr. David Graf, Dr. David Healey, and Dr. Judith McKenzie all helped with detailed information about the Nabateans. Professors Owen Gingrich and Michael Molnar clarified some points about the star, while Juan Antonio Belmonte helped me understand the archaeoastronomical aspects of Petra. Professor Andrea Polcaro very kindly took time during one of my visits to Italy to meet and discuss the basics of archaeoastronomy.
Professor Sir Colin Humphreys spent an extraordinary amount of time reading the manuscript of this book and offering detailed insights—especially on the Bethlehem star. It was a delight to meet Dr. Margaret Barker and receive her enthusiasm about the Nabatean wise men. New Testament scholars Dr. Brant Pitre and Dr. Scott Hahn encouraged the book, and Dr. Edwin Yamauchi kindly read the manuscript and offered extra information and insights.
Thanks also go to an excellent editor, Tom Spence, the Regnery team, Chris Pelicano for producing the maps, and Cale Stanley of Cornell University for the use of his diagrams of the temple at Khirbet et-Tannur. Thanks to Daniel Natal for his video work and help with permissions and images. Thanks also to the abbot and monks of Belmont who welcomed me for an extended retreat for research in the college library.
Gratitude must be expressed to my friends Sid Tate and Richard and Ruth Ballard for being early readers of the manuscript. I also thank various friends for trying not to let their eyes glaze over as I enthused about Herodian politics, the history of frankincense, and the intrigues of Nabonidus the Odd.
Finally, I wish to thank my wife Alison and our children for being patient with the hours I spend with my nose stuck in books and my eyes glued to a flickering screen.