|
Matthew 2:1-12
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.”
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?”
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.”
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.”
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!
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.
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. (The Message)
|
|
Photo by A. D. Strickland
|
Sunday, October 14,
2012
Worship Attendance 47
Offering $886.00
Next Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday School ~ Danny Weaver
Worship Leader ~ Marvin Showalter
Music Leader ~ Susan Huyard |
