Chapter 8

The Star In The East

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there appeared a miraculous star in the sky. The wise men from

the East saw this star and they came to Jerusalem in search of Jesus.

They approached Herod, the King of Judea, and asked him:“ Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage” (Matthew 2:1-2).

King Herod became disturbed on hearing this. He called the priests and asked them where the Messiah will be born. The priests replied that the Messiah was to be born in "Bethlehem of Judea".

Herod said to the wise men, Go and search for the child in Bethlehem. When you find Him, come and inform me

so that I may also go and pay homage to them,

The wise men continued their journey. The miraculous star that appeared in the East went before them.

The star stopped when it reached the place where Jesus was lying. They entered the house and saw child Jesus along with

Mary and Joseph and worshipped Him.

The wise men brought presents to offer to Jesus. Do you know what those gifts were?

Gold Myrrh Incens

The wise men presented the gifts and adored the infant Jesus. According to the instruction of the angels, the wise men returned

without going back to Herod. King Herod knew he had been tricked by the wise men. Then he got angry and ordered to kill all the male babies in Bethlehem who were below two years of age.

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him of Herod's decision to kill child Jesus. Joseph woke up from

sleep and took Mary and child Jesus and fled to Egypt. Thus Jesus was saved from Herod's hands.

The church celebrates the Feast of the Innocents on 28th December, in order to remember the

children who were killed by Herod.

When Herod died the angel again appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel asked him to come back to the land of Israel along with Mary and child. He did so. They went to Nazareth and stayed there. Thus Jesus was called "Nazarene".

Jesus, the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.

Let us sing

The wise may bring their learning,

The rich may bring their gold;

And some may bring their greatness,

And glories new and old;

We too would bring our treasures

To offer to the King.

We have no wealth nor wisdom;

What shall we children bring?

We'll bring the little duties,

We have to do each day,

We'll try our best to please him

At home, at school, at play.

And these shall be the treasures

We offer to the King,

And these are gifts that even

The poorest child can bring.

Pick up the letters from the word bag and complete the words

Let us pray

O God, who led the humble shepherds and

the wise men to the presence of the

child Jesus, we praise you.

If you arrange the star properly, you will reach a

particular place. Can you find it out?

Let us imitate

Just like the wise men, who reached Bethlehem

to see Jesus, taking up so much sacrifice,

let us also go to church and adore Jesus.

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