Jesus’ Birth:Follow the star
Scripture: 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.
Interesting Facts:
Matthew was likely composed between 80 and 90 C.E. Though widely thought to have originated with the disciple Matthew, the late date would suggest otherwise.
The wisemen were likely courtly priests who practiced astrology. King of the Jews is meant to be a foil to King Herod.
“His Star” refers to Num. 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near—a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel”
Pondering:
Why would this be relevant that Jesus had gentile (non-jewish) men come to worship him?
What significance do the gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) given by the magi hold?
In the following verses, Jesus’ parents flee to Egypt to keep him safe from Herod. How might this story inform how we treat ‘the other’, ‘the outcast’, ‘the immigrant’?