Far to the east of Judea lived wise men called Magi. One night, they saw a remarkable star rise in the sky. They understood that it announced wonderful news: the King of the Jews had been born.
The Magi wanted to find this new king. They prepared for a long journey and brought precious treasures with them. Then they traveled west, following the star. The road was long, but they kept going because they wanted to see the child who had been born.
At last, the Magi arrived in Jerusalem, the great city where King Herod lived. They began asking, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east, and we have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this, he was troubled. He was already king, and he did not welcome the news that another king had been born. All Jerusalem was troubled with him.
Herod gathered the chief priests and scribes, men who knew the Scriptures. He asked them where God’s promised king would be born. They answered, “In Bethlehem of Judea.” Long before, the prophet Micah had written that a ruler would come from Bethlehem and care for God’s people.
Then Herod secretly called for the Magi. He asked when the star had first appeared. After listening carefully, he sent them to Bethlehem.
“Go and search carefully for the young child,” Herod said. “When you find him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.” But Herod was not speaking honestly.
The Magi left Jerusalem and continued toward Bethlehem. Suddenly, they saw the star again! Their hearts overflowed with joy. The star went before them until it stood over the place where the young child was.
The Magi entered the house. There they saw Jesus with Mary, his mother. This child did not live in King Herod’s splendid palace, yet the Magi knew that he was the king they had traveled so far to find.
They bowed down low before Jesus and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh—costly gifts offered with honor and love.
That night, God warned the Magi in a dream not to return to Herod. They obeyed the warning. Instead of traveling back through Jerusalem, they went home by another road.
The wise men had come from a distant land, and God had led them to Jesus. The promised king had come not only for people nearby, but for people from every land. The Magi looked for him, found him, and joyfully gave him their best.
What kids learn
- Jesus came to welcome people from every nation and land.
- Those who sincerely seek Jesus can find him.
- We worship Jesus by honoring him and giving him our best.
Memory verse
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
Matthew 2:10
Talk about it together
- What helped the Magi continue their long journey to find Jesus?
- Why was King Herod troubled when he heard that a new king had been born?
- What did the Magi do when they finally found Jesus?
- What gift of love, worship, or kindness could you offer Jesus?
People and places in this story
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