TEXT

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “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.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘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.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then 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.”

When 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. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

1. Ancient ways of observing stars
2. The path from Bethlehem to Egypt
3. How to interpret dreams
4. What makes a man wise?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What are your gifts (broadly defined)?
2. What are doing to find God/Jesus/the Messiah in your life? (Do you think it happens without effort?)
3. When have you been overwhelmed by joy?
4. In what ways do you ‘pay homage’ to God?

IMAGE

SOUNDTRACK

Spotify Playlist

1. Girl from Conejo Valley, by M. Ward
2. In My Ear, by Toad the Wet Sprocket
3. Always on My Mind, Willie Nelson
4. Here’s to Feeling Good All the Time, by Miracle Fortress
5. This is Not a Test, by She & Him
6. Ramblin’, Led Zepplin
7. Bad Girl, by Madonna
8. Breaking Down, by Florence + the Machine
9. Carrying a Stone, by Loney Dear
10. The Long and Winding Road, The Beatles

HAIKU

Giving up-
The Universe gains
the real me