[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 2
BIBLE VERSES
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
“‘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 shepherd my people Israel” (Matthew 2:6)
“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, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)
THE VISIT OF THE MAGI (vs. 1-12)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea when Herod was the king. Magi from the East saw the star and would like to come to worship Him. King Herod called the priests and teachers of the law to ask them where Christ was born. They replied: “In Bethlehem in Judea as was the prophet has written” (v. 5). Then, Herod called the Magi secretly and sent them to go and search for the child. He told them to find him and report to him so that he may also go and worship Him.
The Magi followed the star and found Jesus with His mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped Him. They presented their gifts of myrrh, gold and frankincense to the child. But a dream warned them not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their country by another route.
THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT (vs. 13-18)
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to get up and take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. When the Magi did not return to Herod, he was furious. So, he gave an order to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were 2 years old and under.
THE RETURN TO NAZARETH (vs. 19-23)
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and told him to return to Israel. So, he got up, took the child and the mother and went to Galilee and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled the prophecy of the prophets saying: “He will be called a Nazarene” (v. 23)
REFLECTION:
The Magi were Gentiles from the East. When Christ was born, they went to see and worship Him. They also bring gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense as offering. How about you? Do you worship God? Have you brought tithe to the house of the Lord?[:]