Matthew 2:11-12 (Common English Bible)
They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they went back to their own country by another route.
Magi
Light a candle and remember the presence of God is with you.
Cut out the final pieces to help you build this story.
Advent leads to the 12 days of Christmas.
Christmas leads to Epiphany at the beginning of January.
Come close to this story that leads us through a special journey during this time we call Epiphany.
I wonder who we get to meet in today’s story?
Today we meet some of the last people who wanted to see and celebrate young Jesus. Today we get to meet some magi.
Magi were wise people from far away lands. They often gave advice to royalty or studied great mysteries of the world.
There had been a mysterious star in the sky that a few of the magi in far away lands had noticed. It seemed like a star for a king. So, the magi followed the star to the king that was closest to the star.
The magi gathered and met King Herod, who was an evil leader and was worried about the threat of another king. King Herod tried to trick the magi into bringing the king to him so that he could kill him.
The magi followed the star more closely and found a small toddler named Jesus
living in a regular place. Something about this special toddler had the magi kneel and give three strange gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to him and his family.
The magi treated little Jesus like a king and not just a regular toddler.
Then, an angel told the magi that they were being tricked by King Herod. They warned Jesus’ family to move. So, Jesus’ family moved to Egypt until it was safe.
The magi went home and did not go back to evil King Herod.
I wonder…
… how the Magi felt about the special star?
… how long their journey was?
… why their journey was important?
… why they brought gifts?
… if you have given gifts?
… how you feel now that this journey is over?
… what journey is next?