Periodical supported by one of a number of Christmas visitors (4)

I believe the answer is:

magi

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'christmas visitors' is the definition.
(the wise men of the nativity)

'periodical supported by one' is the wordplay.
'periodical' becomes 'mag' (abbreviation for magazine).
'supported by' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, some letters hold up others).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'mag'+'i'='MAGI'

'of a number of' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for magi that I've seen before include "Travellers in NT" , "Wise men, visitors to Bethlehem" , "Bearers of gold, frankincense and myrrh?" , "Three Wise Men of the Bible" , "Priests" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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