Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV)
What gift
will you offer the newborn King?
“Now after Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men
from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star
when it rose and have come to worship him.” When
Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of
them where the Christ was to be born. They
told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land
of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from
them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent
them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when
you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
After listening to the king, they
went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went
before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And
going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell
down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him
gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own
country by another way.”
