Matthew 2
THERE were some wise and rich men who lived a long way from Bethlehem. They knew that God had sent His Son to be a babe, but they did not know where to find Him. So God put a beautiful star in the sky, and God made it move towards the place where Jesus was.
So the wise men left their houses, and set out on a long journey, but first they said, ‘let us bring some presents for the Son of God, for He is a king.’
They took some gold, and some sweet-smelling stuff (to burn). They looked at the star as they went. At last it stopped over a house in Bethlehem. The wise men were very glad indeed. They longed to see the Son of God.
They went in, and there they saw Mary and her child Jesus. They fell down and began to praise Him, and to call Him the Son of God and the King. They took out their presents, and gave them to Him. Mary was poor, but now she had some money to buy things for her little baby.
Lo, travelers enter Bethlehem’s gate,
Arrived from some far-distant land;
They seem to be of high estate
And hold rich presents in their hand.
They swiftly pass from street to street,
Nor need they fear to go astray,
Nor need they ask the men they meet
To guide them in their unknown way.
For see where shines a beauteous star;
On it they fix their joyful eyes:
That heavenly guide has led them far,
And now it lightens Bethlehem’s skies.
But, lo, it stops, its course is done;
On Mary’s roof it sheds a light.
Enter, there dwells God’s blessed Son.
Enter, enjoy the glorious sight.
But where is He, the Lord of all,
Who made the heavens and earth and seas?
Behold Him there, an infant small,
Lying upon His mother’s knees!
Their Lord full well the strangers know,
And humbly worship at His feet,
Joyful their golden treasures show,
And burn their precious spices sweet.
O happy they who knelt that day
Before the lovely infant’s face,
And who believed, though born a child,
That He was Lord of every place!
And shall not I be happy too,
If, though His face I never saw,
I feel for Him affection true,
And still obey His holy law?
No gold nor spices need I give,
To show my Lord how much I love;
But I may serve Him while I live,
And thus my warm affection prove.
Questions
Who came from far away to see Jesus?
Who told them that God had sent His Son to be a baby?
How did they find the way to Bethlehem?
What did they bring with them?
Where did the star stop?
What did the wise men do when they saw Jesus?
The Great King:
A verse from the Bible for you to learn:
“God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises.” Ps. 47:7.