We know that the Magi spent time following yonder star. But the jury is still out when it comes to their names and numbers, origins and itineraries.

According to Christian, Judaic and Muslim tradition, Adam and Eve were the first two people to inhabit the Earth. Jewish tradition tells us that they had 56 children; we know only the names of Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Our story now shifts to early Christian tradition. After The Fall, Seth wrote a scroll that eventually passed into the hands of Twelve Wise Men from the East. It prophesised how a Star would foretell the coming of the Messiah.

Every month, The Twelve would journey to a mountain cave and for three days, wash themselves ritually in the streams at specific times, and pray. They scoured the heavens for the correct configuration of stars. When a member of group died, his son or another close relative succeeded him.

During the year we call 6BC, the legend tells us that there appeared a star that had an aura in the shape of a boy with a cross glowing behind him. The child proclaimed "The King of the Jews is born in Judea. Go quickly to worship him."

The Blue Letter Bible tells us that the Babylonians (Chaldeans), Medes, and Persians used the word "Magi" as an umbrella word to describe wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, members of the priestly caste, and sorcerers.

The New Catholic Encyclopedia says that "The Gospel narrative omits to mention the number of the Magi... Some Fathers speak of three Magi; they are very likely influenced by the number of gifts."
Usually, the names, countries of origin, and gifts brought to Christ by the Magi are said to be as follows:

Ethiopian Christians call the Magi Hor, Karsudan, and Basanater, and Armenians call them Kagpha, Badadakharida and Badadilma.

In the Catholic Church, the feats of Epiphany (January 6) celebrates the Magi's visit to Jesus; however, their number is nowhere listed as three.

Different traditions say that Caspar was either the oldest, or the youngest, of the wise men. Melchior ("the white one") was an old man, and Balthasar was the forty-something from Ethiopia or Saba.

Astronomers tell us that between 7BC and 1BC the heavens were rife with "signs", (read anomalies) that kept their peers busy.

Some people think that the Star of Bethlehem was like the "pillar of fire" that appeared in Moses' time (Exodus 13:21) - or at least a spotlight from the heavens that shot its beam right in front of the first camel of the group and waited overhead while they rested at night.

This idea is further strengthened by the simple fact that planets sometimes appear to "stand still" in the sky because the length and duration of their orbits differ from those of Earth.

Travelling by camel over sand (or even "field and fountain, moor and mountain") is not easy; although there are legends that say that with the help of the Christ-Star, the Magi reached Jerusalem in less than a fortnight, without needing to stop for food or rest.
Saint John Chrysostom, in his commentaries, says that duration of the journey was about two years. As the Magi travelled, the Star taught them the Gospel of Peace, and their supplies were miraculously replenished as were those of the widow who had fed Elijah.

The interval appears to be echoed by Matthew 2:16, where it is written that Herod's Massacre of the Innocents had all the male children who were "two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men", murdered. This happened because the Magi had a vision in which they were told not to return to Herod; but we do not know which of the several routes possible they took in order to return home.

Christian lore tells us that Magi were baptized by the Apostle Thomas, and later became bishops.