6th January 2012 Matthew 2:1-12

The Visit of the Magi
2After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi 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 in the east 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 Christ was to be born. [5] “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:  [6] “ ‘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 be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ ”  [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 make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” [9] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east 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 and of incense and of myrrh. [12] And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Today is Epiphany; today marks the end of Christmas (although some prefer to see the season close at Candlemas) with the coming of the wise men to visit Jesus from the East.

Jesus, probably as a toddler or older, was visited at home by maji from Eastern lands.  These scholarly men followed the stars which showed the arrival of a new king and they brought royal gifts.  Jesus was heralded as a king by those from other lands, he had come for all.

I'm reminded that we have a role in the discipling of the world, that Jesus came for all, everyone.

Jesus, we celebrate your coming for all and ask for help in our part in that.  Amen