The three Magi find the baby Jesus
Bible Accent: Scripture reading at Mass
Saint for Today: St. Adrian
Puzzle
The three Magi find the baby Jesus
After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, during the reign of King Herod, Magi from the East arrived. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” they asked. “We have seen his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”
Because the Magi were seeking a newborn king, word eventually reached Herod, and he was very angry. He had no newborn son, and he wondered who this newborn king might be. He called his chief priests and scribes together and asked them where the Messiah had been prophesied to be born.
“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they answered, “for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
So Herod invited the Magi to visit him, and he asked them when they had first seen the star that had led them to Bethlehem. “Go and search diligently for the child,” he told them. “When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.”
The magi left the court of Herod and followed the star in the sky until it led them to where they found Jesus. When they found Jesus with his mother, they prostrated themselves and honored him. Then they gave him presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh. After this they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they returned home by a different route.
Joseph also received a warning in one of his dreams when an angel appeared to him and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph woke up Mary and they escaped under the cover of night and headed for Egypt. They remained there until they learned of the death of Herod, which fulfilled another prophecy of the Scriptures, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
An angel once again appeared to Joseph and said to him, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And Joseph did as the angel had instructed him.
READ MORE ABOUT IT:
Matthew 2
Q&A
1. What three gifts did the magi give to Jesus?
2. Why did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt?
Bible Accent: Scripture reading at Mass
The readings from the Scriptures during Mass are planned over three years, called cycles A, B and C. Over these three years, most of the Bible is read. There are readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament and one of the Gospels, and very often a Psalm. The Gospel is read by either a priest or a deacon, and the other Scriptures are usually read by a volunteer called a lector. The church year is the basis of the readings and is planned around the celebration or remembrance of important events in the life of Jesus Christ, and divided into periods of time called seasons. These seasons are Advent (leading up to Christmas), Christmas, Lent (leading up to Easter), Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday), Easter and Ordinary Time. The year begins with Advent and ends on the Feast of Christ the King.
Saint for Today: St. Adrian
Adrian (d. 710), who had been born in Africa, rose to the position of abbot of Nerida, near Naples, Italy. After the death of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope St. Vitalian wanted Adrian to become archbishop, but he said no. He said that St. Theodore should become archbishop, and Adrian agreed to be Theodore’s assistant and adviser. Theodore made Adrian abbot of the monastery of SS Peter and Paul in Canterbury, where he taught languages and set an example of a holy life. Adrian’s reputation as a man of God and as a teacher attracted some of the finest students from the European continent. We honor him on Jan. 9.
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