Following the Bright Star

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)  

  

Special Prayer in Los Angeles, CA 

LORD, we lift up to You all those who have lost their homes and resources, in LA  county, CALIFORNIA. Please cover them with Your mighty hand, granting them protection and safety. Fill their hearts with hope and trust in You. Shine Your light upon them and draw them closer to the truth of Your Gospel. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2: 1-2)

After reading the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12, I noticed the children's curiosity about the Magi, who came from a faraway land in the East seeking to worship Jesus and bring Him gifts. Their interest grew as we discussed not only the act of worship but also the gifts the Magi brought.

Children's Interaction;

• A few kids asked, "How far did the Magi travel?"
• Another asked, "Did they ride motorcycles or cars?"

To help them understand, I explained:

• If the Magi came from Persia (modern-day Iran) to Bethlehem, the journey would have been more than 1,368 miles, which would take approximately 25 hours by car today, according to MapQuest—assuming no traffic.
•  I provided an example: this is roughly the same distance as traveling from Balorinay to Manila, making it easier for the children to visualize.
• I also clarified that the Magi would not have had access to modern vehicles like cars or motorcycles. Instead, they likely traveled using camels or horseback, as these were the primary modes of transportation in ancient times.

Following the Bright Star

As I further explained to the children, we discussed the Magi's devotion in worshiping the newborn King, Jesus. They brought three significant gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—each carrying a deep symbolic meaning:

1. Gold: A symbol of royalty and kingship, representing Jesus as the King of Kings.
2. Frankincense: A symbol of divinity, used in worship and signifying Jesus as God.
3. Myrrh: A symbol of burial and death, foreshadowing Jesus' sacrifice on the cross to save all humankind.

Ø  One child commented that the Wise Men must have had enormous faith in God because they followed the bright star, which guided them to find the baby King, Jesus.

  “Yes,” I replied, “and we must also have faith, love, and reverence for Jesus. We should completely trust in God, no matter what circumstances we face.”

Ø  The children then remarked, “It’s amazing and such a coincidence that we’re celebrating Jesus’ birthday, just like the Magi did when they visited Him!”

Ø  I explained, “The reason we celebrate today is also to honor Ate Milda’s memory with respect. It reminds us of the importance of love and reverence during this season.”

CLOSING PRAYER:

As we concluded our Children’s Bible Study class and prepared for the Christmas party, I asked everyone to bow their heads in prayer and worship our Lord, Jesus. I reminded them, “Like the Magi, we should always pay homage to God.”

Thank you Sharon and Del Walborn your continuous support in Balorinay Children Bible Study. May GOD bless you Both.