The three wise men: facts or fairy tale -- Is the Bible true? -- Matthew: man of history -- Fantastic flights of fantasy -- Sages and stargazers -- The riddle of the Nabateans -- The Middle Eastern melting pot -- Prophecies or predictions? -- The herod connection -- The three treasures -- The star of Bethlehem -- Wise men from the east -- What happened to the wise men? -- Why does it matter?

The Magi of nativity scenes are romanticized as well-dressed wisemen bringing gifts to Jesus. Traditional Christians tell of a miraculous star that guided exotic kings from Persia, India and Africa. Academics dismiss both accounts as no more than a pious legend