Is the telling of the visiting magi, mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, a made up fictional story?

What is a survey of the traditional responses to those who argue that the story of the visiting magi, mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, is a made up fictional story? For example, an article (sourced here ) explains the magi account in the Gospel of Matthew as fictitious. The article lays out a few arguments for why the story of the magi in the Gospel of Matthew is likely a made up fictional story. A few of the highlights run as follows:

 > From a historical point of view they appear to be highly problematic. > The story abounds with interior contradictions... > > Is it likely that the distrustful Herod would allow the Magi to go > their way without at least a spy to watch their movements?... > > Moreover, if the coming of the Magi upset the whole of Jerusalem, if > their adoration at Bethlehem and the murder of the infants were known > to tradition, why does neither Flavius Josephus, nor Jesus himself, > nor John, Mark, Peter, Paul or any other apostle, nor even Luke in his > infancy narrative, allude to this fact?... > > What was the evangelist's source of information on such hidden matters > as Herod's secret council with the Magi and the angel's apparitions to > them and to Joseph? What would be some of the traditional counter arguments to the above, that support the view that Mathew was writing true history and not making up fictional stories? For a parallel discussion see here .