Matthew 2:1-12 The Message
2 1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”
3-4 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
5-6 They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly:
It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land,
no longer bringing up the rear.
From you will come the leader
who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”
7-8 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”
9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So, they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.
As we read the Matthew story for Epiphany, I am reminded of the night of Jesus birth, specifically the Gospel of Luke 2: 1-19: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them….
I continue to be amazed that those who were “invited” to see Jesus came from very different worlds. The first were shepherds which we are encouraged to believe were the poorest of the poor, set part from society economically and socially.
The second invitees were the wisest of the wise, astrologers and seers, yet foreigners and gentiles (non-Jews) from a distant land.
As we ponder the Jesus story on the celebration of Epiphany, I would ask you to think about who we, as Christians, invite into the Jesus Story? Are we open and welcoming to all who come to us? Do we let down barriers so all are included? Are we able to see as God sees?
As we enter this new year, 2022, may our guiding light be one of kindness, welcome and, above all, unconditional love.
Blessed New Year to all
Pastor Beryl, DLM