…they started out as spies but God intervened and they ended up bowing down for real to Baby Jesus, and did not return on the designated route to avoid Herod.
Joseph and Mary fleeing to Egypt with young Jesus, to escape King Herod (who sent the wise men to find Him, so he might “worship Him” ….yeah right. God warned Joseph in a dream to get up and take his family to Egypt, where they lived in safety for a few years, until King Herod was dead)
