The Magi followed a star to Bethlehem
Image from Unsplash
Our Advent journey to Bethlehem in Week 4 follows the Magi arriving from the East.
Twelve days after the birth of Jesus, when the shepherds and angels had left, three wise men, called the Magi, came from the East, they had followed a star to the place where Jesus was born. It took them twelve days to reach Bethlehem travelling across the desert from Egypt and arrived on Jan 6th, Epiphany.
Journeys to Bethlehem The Magi... Rev’d Sue Martin
Our readings are from Matthew 2:1-14, the only gospel to tell of the arrival of the Magi. We hear of the next journey of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, into Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod as prophesied in the Old Testament book of Hosea.
The Magi were important news bearers. On their return journey they would spread the word that a King had been born. Already news of the Messiah would travel around the world. As Magi, they were important people, probably astronomers. They would have been wealthy and indeed brought the first gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their names were Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar and we shall find out where they came from and learn about the star that they followed.
We say goodbye to the Magi as they travel on their camels, back across the desert, travelling a different way to escape the scheming of King Herod. We know the shepherds have already gone back to their flocks on the hillside and the angels have returned to heaven but still keeping watch over the Holy Family every step of the way.
This week in our journey to Bethlehem we arrive in Judea with the Magi, greeted by King
Herod, who then plots and schemes to prevent anyone become king apart from himself.
Our readings are from Matthew, the only gospel to tell of the arrival of the Magi. We hear
of the next journey of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, into Egypt to escape the wrath of
King Herod as prophesied in the Old Testament book of Hosea.
Advent Journeys 4 Notes
Download Journeys to Bethlehem 4 The Magi…
As we leave this Advent Course and the journeys to Bethlehem, let us also journey with the Holy Family. Let us find space for them in our hearts and our prayers as we approach Christmas. Jesus was born for each and every one of us and born into our hearts on Christmas Day.
Carol We Three Kings – sung by Jennifer Avalon
https://youtu.be/k8mjRxkMBkE
Notes and images by Rev’d Sue Martin December 2021