Sermon given by Rev Mitch Hay and Rev Barb Lemmel on January 5, 2025

Gospel Matthew -- 2:1-12In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,some Magi, astrologer priests from the East, came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Judaeans? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him,“In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a rulerwho is to shepherd my people Israel.

Then Herod, secretly summoning the Magi, ascertained from them the exact time of the star's appearance. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and inquire precisely after the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” And, obeying the king, they departed. And there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, theywere overwhelmed with joy.

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.