Matthew 2: 1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judah, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judah,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country another way.
A Thought
The Magi were apparently learned on the prophecies of a ruler to be born in Bethlehem for the people of Judah. After following the star in the east, they came to King Herod searching for more information concerning where to find the child. Troubled, King Herod called the chief priests and teachers of the law to find out more information. King Herod sent them to Bethlehem to find the child and when they found him, they were to report back to him. The Magi did not go to Bethlehem but, continued to follow the star until it stopped over the house when the child was with his mother, Mary. Overjoyed, they bowed down and worshiped the child. They presented them with gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. The Magi were warned in a dream to return to their country another way, not to go back to Herod. When we seek to follow Christ we do not have to fear, God will lead, protect us. Be filled with joy, bow down and worship, let God be your treasure. Honor Him with your gifts.
Our Prayer
Father thankful for being faithful to fulfill all your promises. Help us to fulfill the many promises we have made to you. Help us to surrender to your will, to use the gifts and talents we have received from you to honor you. Fill us with your Holy Spirit to worship you with joy. In Jesus’ name, we ask, amen.
