The answer is: False

Almost every depiction of the nativity scene shows well dressed wise men, surrounded by shepherds, presenting their gifts to Jesus while he was in the manger. The Bible truth is very different for they clearly did not visit Jesus while he was still lying in the manger (Matt 2 v 11). They met in a house and Jesus was a young child. It is possible that he was walking and talking by the time they reached him. Herod ordered the killing of all the children up to two years old for he knew that Jesus could have been nearly two years old by then. (Matt 2 v 16)

The story of the wise men, or Magi, unfolds richly in the biblical narrative, providing lessons about perception and understanding. When we visualize that familiar nativity scene, it’s easy to overlook the timeline of events. In fact, the Gospel of Matthew portrays the Wise Men arriving sometime after the shepherds, perhaps even as late as months or a couple of years after Jesus' birth. This is fascinating when you consider the significance of their visit—they came from distant lands, symbolizing a universal recognition of Jesus' importance even in infancy, or near infanthood.

Trivia alert: the wise men are often referred to as "kings," but actually, the original text doesn’t specify their royal status. Instead, the Magi were more like scholars or astrologers, fulfilling the prophetic expectation of Gentiles acknowledging the Jewish Messiah. Blessed with gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—their support for Mary and Joseph had both practical and symbolic meanings: gold representing Christ’s kingship, frankincense His divine nature, and myrrh foreshadowing His suffering and death.

Moreover, the entire story offers a poignant reflection on the theme of seekers of truth amidst uncertainty. While Herod sought to prevent the rise of Jesus out of fear and paranoia, the Magi followed a star, demonstrating trust in a guiding light—in a way, alluding to the many stars in the universe guiding us to find our own paths and truths. So, while nativity scenes often simplify this rich narrative, appreciating the depth of its context provides much more joy to the heart of understanding this ancient story.