Revelation of the Magi: The Lost Tale of the Wise Men's Journey to Bethlehem - Hardcover

"The fascinating story of the Wise Men from the East who came to see baby Jesus is presented, for the first time in English, in a remarkable new version based on an ancient Syriac text, and the result is a tale that is astonishing, delightful, and theologically sophisticated."--Marvin Meyer, author of Gospels of Mary

"Unread for centuries, the Revelation of the Magi retells the Biblical story of three wise men who visited Jesus at his birth, expanding their minor role into an epic tale. In a new, lucid translation, Landau offers English readers a chance to hear this remarkable story for the first time."--Karen L. King, author of the Secret Revelation of John

"This lovely text, skillfully translated and accompanied by expert commentary shows that early Christians approached the Christmas story with refreshing creativity. Landau is to be congratulated for bringing this important and unexpectedly influential work to light."--Jennifer Knust, author of Unprotected Texts

"Of the many recently discovered earliest Christian documents, Revelation of the Magi is by far the most fascinating. Landau's presentation--bright and sharp as a gemstone--emphasizes the unique challenge and radical depth of this ancient text's theology."--John Dominic Crossan, author of Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography and The Greatest Prayer

"Landau shows, with skill and authority, how the "Revelation" contains a valuable message of tolerance that is needed as much today as in the years of its composition."--Los Angeles Times (online)

"Revelation of the Magi should be of interest to not only biblical scholars but also students of the Christian story who want to know more about these elusive fellows."--Booklist

"For all of [The Wise Men's] popularity, the mysterious travelers from the East ... appear in only one short passage in the New Testament. Now, a first-ever English translation and detailed analysis of a little-known eighth-century text uncovers a far more substantial version of the wise men story."--USA Today

"This year a number of Christmas stockings will no doubt be stuffed with a copy of a beautiful little book, Revelation of the Magi. ...Quite luminous and wonderful... Like incense, the pages radiate divine grace, mercy, and love. They seem infused with light, glory, majesty, epiphany, and joy."--Day 1.org

Of the many recently discovered earliest Christian documents, Revelation of the Magi is by far the most fascinating. Landau s presentation bright and sharp as a gemstone emphasizes the unique challenge and radical depth of this ancient text s theology. --John Dominic Crossan, author of Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography and The Greatest Prayer"

The fascinating story of the Wise Men from the East who came to see baby Jesus is presented, for the first time in English, in a remarkable new version based on an ancient Syriac text, and the result is a tale that is astonishing, delightful, and theologically sophisticated. --Marvin Meyer, author of Gospels of Mary"

A first English-language translation of an ancient manuscript discovered in the Vatican Library recounts the Christmas story from the viewpoints of the three Eastern kings, describing the Magi's ritualized pre-Christianity beliefs as well as key insights about their Shir homeland. 30,000 first printing.