NARRATOR: After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, magi from the east arrived one day in Jerusalem.
MAGI: Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.
NARRATOR: At this news King Herod became greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem. He summoned all of the chief priests and scribes of the people.
HEROD: Where is the messiah to be born?
PRIESTS, SCRIBES: In Bethlehem of Judea. Here is what the prophet has written.
MICAH: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the princes of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler who is shepherd to my people Israel.
NARRATOR: Herod called the magi aside and found out from them the exact time of the star’s appearance. Then he sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions.
HEROD: Go and get detailed information about the child. Report your findings to me, so that I may go and offer him homage, too.
NARRATOR: After their audience with the king, the magi set out. The star which they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, found the child with Mary, his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They received a message in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back to their own country by another route.
Matthew 2.1-12