"HIS STAR" LEAD THEM
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel."
HEROD QUESTIONS THE WISE MEN
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, his star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
THE WISE MEN WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
Their worship of Jesus was quite something in my mind, simply because they were astrologer's -- men who study the position of the stars claiming that by doing so they are able to tell the meaning of events in people's lives. See: ISAIAH 47:13
While at home in the East, they saw a "star" and followed it hundreds of miles, not to Bethlehem, but to Jerusalem.
The wise men could never have seen baby Jesus, simply because of the time it took them to travel to Jerusalem.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, the wise men departed into their own
country another way.
AN ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSEPH
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
HEROD'S ANGER LEADS TO MURDER
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
Herod was so angry that someone greater than he, was born.
He wanted this baby Jesus killed, and he ordered all the
children under the age of two to be killed. This he thought
would surely include Jesus!
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted,
because they are not." MATTHEW 2:7-18
An Angel Warns Joseph to Flee to Egypt.
We Three Kings of Orient Are
By - Jennifer Avalon