In their search for the king foretold by the star they were following, the magi would have had many days absence from their own homes and pursuits. They didn’t know how far they would have to travel. Their journey was uncharted and their destination unknown. It would have been the culmination of years of study, no sacrifice was too great.
The gifts they were bearing were expensive, making the journey a dangerous one, thieves abounded. Would they be safe as they travelled? Journeying through different countries brought further difficulties. Day after day, night after night they faithfully followed that star until they took a wrong turning and ended up in Herod’s palace. Fortunately they were still wise enough to listen to their dreams and return home a different way.
What difference would the journey have made to their lives? No doubt it was something they would never forget. They had actually been able to worship at the manger of the King of Kings, though He was just a helpless babe. It is likely that they would have known nothing of His future life, His teaching, crucifixion and resurrection. Their task was only to worship Him as a babe. Because of them the significance of gold, frankincense and myrrh is still noted today.