1st Week January

• Bible

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for out of you will come a ruler

    who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Have you ever heard someone say, I had an epiphany? What does that mean?

Epiphany of the Lord (Three Kings Day)

• The Epiphany of Our Lord - Christian feast 

•  The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means "to shine upon," "to manifest," or “to make known.” 

Feast of Epiphany

• The time between December 25 and January 6 is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. 
• Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries in many countries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honor of the Magi’s gifts to the infant Jesus. 

A Rosca de Reyes, or kings’ ring, fit for a crowd was served in Mexico City on Friday

 What does the feast celebrate? 

The feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to the world along with the visit of the wise men.

Were the magi Jewish? 

The story of the Visit of the Magi makes an important point about the role of the Messiah. Jesus is called “the newborn king of the Jews” by the magi who travel from the east. These men were not Jewish yet they paid homage to the King of the Jews.

Who were the kings? Were there 3? 

The popular song beginning “We three kings of Orient are…” is a well-known interpretation of Matthew’s account of the Visit of the Magi.

 It is generally believed that the three “kings” were actually astrologers (wise men) following an unusual star. Had these three men been kings, they were likely to have brought escorts rather than traveling alone.

What does Epiphany mean?

1. to shine upon, to manifest, to make known
2. to work, to play, to have a job
3. to sleep, to rest, to nap
4. to love, to hug, to blow kisses

What was Jesus' main mission when he came to this earth?

1. seek and save the lost
2. give people clothes
3. give people money
4. make people feel good

How many wise men or Kings were at Jesus' birth?

1. 3
2. 6
3. 5
4. unknown

Were the 3 wise men or 3 kings actually Kings?

1. Yes
2. No

What did the wise men give to Jesus?

What is the meaning(symbolism) of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?

Gold - Money - expensive

Frankincense - perfume - valuable

Myrrh - oil - for burial - valuable

Take-Aways!!!

• Matthew, who wrote to a Jewish audience, hoped to express the universal role of Christ in this story.  
• The wise men were foreigners but they honored Jesus as their king. Herod, who is not an heir of King David and not the rightful King of the Jews, was threatened by this new king and attempted to kill him.
  
• Gifts