STORIES FROM THE BIBLES ---6--2

The Birth of Jesus

 

 2. The star and the wise men

 

In a country east of Judea, and many miles distant,were living some very wise men

who studied stars. one night they saw a strange star shining in the sky, and in some way they learned that the coming of this star meant that king was soon be

born in the land of Judea. These men felt a call of God to go to Judea,far to the

west of their own home, and there to see this new-born king. They took a long journey,

with camels and horses, and at last they came to the land of Judea, just at the time

when Jesus was born at Bethlehem.

As soon as they were in Judea they supposed  that every one  would know all about

the king , and they said: " Where is he that is born king of the Jews? In the east we have seen  his star, and we have come to worship him."

 

But no one of whom  they asked  had ever seen this king, or had heard of him.

The news of their coming was sent to Herod the king, who was now a very old man.

He ruled the land of Judea, as you know , under th emperor at Rome, Augustus

Casar. Herod was a very weaked man,  and when he heard of some one born to be a king, he feared that he might lose his own kindom. He made up his mind to kill this new king.

 

Then Herod sent for the wise men from the east, and met them alone, and found from them

at what time the star was first seen. Then he said to them :

" Go to Bethlehem ; there search carefully for the little child; and when you have found him,bring me word again, so that I also may come and worship him."

 

Then the wise men went to their way toward Bethlehem; and suddenly they saw the star again shining upon the road before them. At this they were glad,and followed the star

until  it led them to the very house where the little child was. They came in, and there they

saw the little one , with Mary, its mother.

They knew at once that this was the king ; and they fell down on their faces and worshiped him as the Lord. Then they brought out gifts of gold and precious perfumes. frankincense and myrrh, which were used in offering sacrifices; and they gave them as presents to the loyal child.

 

That night God sent a dream to the wise men, telling them not to go back to Herod, but

to go home at once to their own land by another road to their own country without passing

through Jerusalem where Herod was living. So Herod would not learn from those men who

the child was that was born to be a king.