The star

The Epiphany of the Lord Yr B

How many times have we heard the story of the three wise men! When we were young, we listened to the adventures of the three kings, later we learnt that despite the carol, they were not kings but magi or wise men. They studied the stars. We do not know how many they were, the Bible however mentions three gifts, so we assume that there were three. We do not know exactly where they came from. We know that they travelled from afar and that they were not Jews. We know that these people travelled at a cost and they did not give up because it was important for them to discover what their studies and prophecies were leading them to. In the end, they found Jesus.

Our journey towards finding Jesus is not an easy one either. In today’s society we may also be laughed at for leading a Christian life. After having found Jesus, they returned using a different road. It is similar for us. When we meet Jesus, we change. We change our lifestyle; we change our ways.

In today’s Gospel we encounter three main figures: the magi, Herod and the chief priests and scribes. We choose which of these we will emulate. For Herod, power and position were too close to his heart. He was afraid that someone would take his place. What is most important for us? When Herod heard about Jesus, he was angry and upset. Do we ever get angry at Jesus? Do we get angry because things do not work out the way we prayed for? We pray for the healing of someone we love and this person dies. We pray for a solution in a broken relationship and things are not resolved. So we are angry at God and we doubt his very existence. Like Herod, we decide that God is not our king and ruler. 

Then there are the chief priests and the scribes. These are learned persons, like the magi. However, they did not seem preoccupied or in any way interested in the Messiah. It could be that while we believe in God, in Jesus who saved us, at the same time we are indifferent to the Christian way of life. We are very indifferent to Christian values. We go to mass on Sunday, maybe to confession once in a while, and that sums it all up.

In contrast, we can choose to be like the wise men. Their journey was long, it was difficult, it may have been dangerous too. Yet they believed that it was important to find what they were looking for. They did not give up. The star stirred up many questions in them. They could not get answers unless they went on this journey. Sometimes we are comfortable in the way that we are living, and we have little incentive to change. Christian life is a journey which leads us to Jesus, there is no comfort zone where to put down anchors! The Church and the help it offers us, is our star which guides us towards Jesus. Meeting Jesus is not enough. The magi recognised him for what he was: King, Messiah and Saviour. Some thought that the Messiah would only save the Jews. This episode shows that salvation is for everyone. When we meet with Jesus, we change. He becomes the star which guides us. He never promises that it will be an easy choice, his only promise is that he will also be with us.

A reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 2, 1-12)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod, 
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 
“Where is the new-born king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled, 
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, 
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, 
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly 
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word, 
that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, 
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures 
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 
they departed for their country by another way.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Who is, or what are the stars in your life? Where and to whom are they leading you?
  4. At this point in time, whom do you resemble most? Herod? The chief priests and the scribes? Or the wise men? If not the magi, what can you do about it?
  5. As a parent, Jesus would like you to be like a star for your children. How are you fitting into this role?
  6. Together with your family find the right time to read this gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare:
    i. The Bible reading from St Matthew (2, 1-12);
    ii. The crib or Baby Jesus
    iii. A candle
    iv. Cover the table with white cloth
    v. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  7. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested)
  8. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  9. Be creative 😊
  10. Go to the Prayer Spaces section to continue praying as a family

Did you ever see your baptism photos? On the occasion of your baptism, your parents took you to church, and there, you bThrough today’s Gospel we are going to meet some very wise men. These people studied the skies and the stars. They believed that the stars told stories of what was going to happen. They once saw a different star and decided to follow it to see where it would take them. They were sure that something very big and important was about to happen.

– YouTube
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  • Just as the wise men found Jesus with the help of the stars, God sends us people to help us find Jesus too
  • We, as the Magi did, can give gifts to Jesus
  • Copies of the stars, check the activity to see how many stars you need to print
  • The three wise men
  • Baby Jesus or a crib
The starDownload

Did you receive presents this Christmas? Did you like them? Today we heard how Jesus too, received presents. Do you remember what they were? (Gold, frankincense, and myrrh)

These were not the usual presents we give to babies! But this baby was very special. This baby was Jesus. Even the gifts were special. The wise men gave these gifts because of their meaning, so that they show who Jesus was. They gave him gold to show that Jesus is king, the frankincense shows that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. The myrrh showed that Jesus was to die to save everyone.

Even we can give gifts to Jesus. We will not give Jesus presents similar to those that we received for Christmas and which we liked so much. The gift Jesus would like to receive from us is our love for Him and for others.

What gifts can you give Jesus today? (allow the children to give their examples)

Do you remember how the wise men, found Jesus with the help of a star? Do you know that God sends us people who are like this star? These people help us to get to know Jesus better. He gave us our parents. When we were still babies, they baptised us so that we became part of the family of God. Our parents take care of us and they love us, they pray with us and we go to church together. They read to us, from the Bible and show us how to be good children. Even our grandparents speak to us about Jesus. There are also our teachers, catechists, and priests. Is there someone else who speaks to you about Jesus?

Do you think it was easy for the wise men to find Jesus?

It was not easy, and the road was long, it could be that they got lost a couple of times. Most probably, Herod was not the only one they asked for help. Sometimes we too find it difficult to follow Jesus, but these people help us to find our way back to him.

Would you like to go and find Jesus, just like the three wise men?

Before starting this activity, the parents put the stars all over the house. The arrow on the first star, should point to the next. The last star points towards Baby Jesus or the crib.

Hold the wise men in your hands and look for the first star, it will lead you to the next, continue following the stars until you reach the last one. Whilst looking for the stars, sing: We three kings.

Sign of the cross.

Jesus, we followed the stars and we found you. Thank you for our parents, grandparents and all those who teach us about you and show us how we can love you. Jesus, today we would like to pray for those children who do not know that you love them. Jesus, send people to them so that they will be like the star which led the wise men, and these people will tell them that you love them and that you want to help them. Thank you, Jesus, we love you.

When wise men, who lived very far away from Bethlehem saw a new different star, they recognised that something great was going to happen. According to their studying of the stars, someone who was very powerful was going to be born. They went in search of him. They had no idea how long their journey would be or where they would be going, yet they knew that they had to go and see towards whom the star was leading them.

– YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com
  • God takes care of us, just as He took care of baby Jesus
  • Jesus came to save everyone
  • Just as the three wise men found Jesus with the help of the stars, God sends us people to help us find Jesus
  • Stars cut out from paper or construction paper
  • Colour and decorations for the stars
  • Pencil

Today is the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. The word epiphany means manifestation or the discovery of something which was not visible before. The wise men discover the Messiah in that tiny baby, the Saviour of the world. They demonstrate this through the gifts they present to him. The gold shows that he was king, the frankincense used in religious celebrations, showed that he was the Messiah. The myrrh was used for burial. It showed that Jesus would die to save mankind. Jesus was the Saviour. 

If these men had remained comfortable in their homes, they would not have met Jesus, they would not have found the Messiah. If we are not careful, we will not notice that God is speaking to us, we will not notice that he is showing us that he is near us, caring for us. Just as through a dream, God took care of baby Jesus, by giving a message to the wise men, for example, he uses the love of those around us, like our parents, grandparents, and friends to show his love for us. God sends people to help us, to care for us, to teach us, people to make us happy. God also speaks to us and shows us who he is, through the Bible. 

The wise men gave gifts to Jesus. We can give Jesus gifts, too. Jesus likes to receive gifts from us. Jesus would like us to give him our heart, that is, he would like us to love him, he wants us to be friends with those around us, to help others, to make others happy, to forgive and to love, to share what we have.

The magi used the star to arrive to Jesus. Today, to arrive somewhere, we use the GPS or a map. In those days, they had none of these things! To arrive to Jesus, the map or GPS will not be of any use. Like the wise men, we need help. We find this help in those who speak to us about Jesus, people like our parents, priests, teachers, and catechists.

Cut out star shapes from the paper or construction paper and on them write the names of those persons who help you to get to know Jesus. Write a name on each star. You may decorate the stars. When ready, place the stars near baby Jesus. Every day look at these stars and say thank you to Jesus for these people and pray for their needs. 

While preparing the stars, listen to We are following the star.

Like the magi, we need to continue looking for Jesus. Are we going to allow these ‘stars’ to lead us to him?

Sign of the cross.

Thank you, Jesus, for becoming man like us. Thank you for all the people you send us to get to know you better. We want to become more like you. Thank you for (mention one of the names written on the stars). We ask you bless him/her and to take care of him/her.

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.