Lesson 156 - Elementary

Memory Verse

"Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour"    (Luke 2:11).

Notes

Wise Men

Long, long before the little Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God had promised the people that some day He would send His Son to earth. Just how God would send Him they could not tell, but they were very sure that He would keep His promise.

In the country far away from Bethlehem lived some good men. They were called wise men because they knew much about many things. These men sat under the stars every night watching the beautiful tiny lights that God had put in the sky. They must have learned that a new star would come to tell them when God had sent His Son. Night after night they probably looked up at the sky and talked of God's promise.

The Star

At last there appeared one of the most beautiful stars they had ever seen. The wise men watching it felt sure it must be the star sent to tell that Jesus was born. They wanted to go and worship Him. They knew that God's Son was to be born in a country where His people, the Jews, lived. This was a long way from their land. They must cross a hot, sandy desert to reach Judæa.

There was only one way to cross the desert, and that was to ride on the back of camels. The camel is the only animal that can travel so far across hot, burning sand without a drink of water. Perhaps the wise men owned many camels, for they were rich. Everything was made ready for the long, hard journey. The camels were given a big drink of water that would last them for several days. The precious packages were carefully packed. Each man carried a gift for the baby Jesus. They started on their way.

Following the Star

The travellers looked up at the star. "Come, follow me,” it seemed to say, "and I will lead you to the newborn King.” On, on it led them. They travelled many weary miles across the hot sands of the desert. At last they reached rivers and mountains; and they knew they must be drawing near. When they had gone a little farther they came to a great city with high walls around it. They knew this must be Jerusalem.

The wise men said, "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” [MAT:2:2]). The people were troubled at their questions.

At last King Herod heard about these richly-dressed strangers. It worried him to think they were looking for a new king. He called the chief priests and scribes together to ask them where Christ was to be born.

They told King Herod what the prophet had written, "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” [MAT:2:6]).

Then King Herod asked the wise men about the time they first saw the star, and told them to go to Bethlehem and look for the Baby. When they had found Him they were to come back and tell him, because he said he wanted to worship Him, too.

The wise men left King Herod's palace and started out for Bethlehem. They looked up into the sky and there was their guiding star! How these wise men rejoiced in their hearts as they followed the star!

The star went on before them, leading them to Bethlehem. Finally it came to rest over the place where the wonderful Baby lay, the Holy Christ Child.

Inside the house they found the baby Jesus and His mother. They fell down and worshiped Him just as the shepherds had done. They gave Him the costly gifts they had brought from home: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This was their way of saying "Thank You” to God for His great Gift to the world, His Son, Jesus.

We can thank God for His Son, too. We can give our very best to Him. We can say, "I give my life, my all, in loving service to You, Jesus, because You gave Your life, Your all, for me.”

Questions

1. Who brought gifts to Jesus? [MAT:2:11].

2. Who wanted to destroy Jesus? [MAT:2:13].

3. Where did the star lead the wise men? [MAT:2:9].

4. Where was Jesus born? [MAT:2:1].

5. Who was king over Judæa? [MAT:2:1].