NARRATOR 1: After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, magi from the east arrived 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 2: When King Herod heard this, he became greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem. He summoned all 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, 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.
NARRATOR 1: 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 search carefully for the child. When you have found him, bring me word so that I may go and offer him homage, too.
NARRATOR 2: After their audience with the king, the magi set out. The star that they had observed at its rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
NARRATOR 1: On entering the house, they found the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down and paid him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
NARRATOR 2: Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their own country by another road.
Matthew 2.1-12
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6, Ephesians 3.2-3, 5-6, Matthew 2.1-12