Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 2:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, Verse 2asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." Verse 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; Verse 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. Verse 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: Verse 6'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Verse 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Verse 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."
Verse 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. Verse 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Verse 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Verse 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Devotion
The congregation I served in Seattle for 30 years has an annual tableau-style Christmas pageant that is dearly loved by the children and the community. Each year an infant (not always happily!) plays the part of Jesus in the manger. But when the three kings arrive, the manger goes away and a toddler takes the part of Jesus (and often takes charge!), with Mary and Joseph welcoming the kings into their house. The writer of the script wanted the children to know how Matthew tells the story, and that the Christmas narrative is not just compressed into a few brief days. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the whole story of our salvation.
Matthew reports that the kings once again followed the star they had seen in their own distant land. And what a wonderful report it is: When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. May we also, on this great feast day of light, be overwhelmed with the joy of Jesus.
Prayer
Dearest Jesus, holy child, make thee a bed, soft, undefiled within my heart, that it may be, a quiet chamber kept for thee. Amen.