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Children's Liturgy Series: The Epiphany of the Lord (Cycle B)

Author: Joyce Bott

Introduction

In today's gospel we learn about how the three wise men travel from afar to seek out baby Jesus and pay him homage as the Messiah.

Opening Prayer

Holy Spirit, fill my heart and illuminate my mind. Help me to hear and understand God's message today. Help me to be aware of when God is trying to speak to me in my daily life. Amen

Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage."

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, 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."

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."

After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeoV8E_JwGE (Credit to Catholic Kids Media)

Reflection

Say: Think of the best gift you ever received. What was it? What made it special? Was it the gift itself, the thought that went into it, or the person who gave it to you?

Say:
Many people around the world give gifts on the feast of the Epiphany instead of giving gifts on Christmas. 

Ask:
What gifts were given to Jesus by the Magi? (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) Say: Let me tell you a bit about each of these. Gold is familiar to most of us. We associate gold with wealth and royalty. Frankincense was often used by priests for worship in the Temple. Myrrh is a perfume and was used to prepare a body after death. We often understand this gift to foretell Jesus’ suffering and death.

Ask:
What made these gifts special? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Tell the children that these gifts showed that the Magi truly recognized the infant Jesus for who he would be for them and for us: Savior. 

Say: We too are called this season to offer our gifts to Jesus. What might we offer to show that we recognize who Jesus is? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Conclude by praying together that we will always recognize Jesus as our Savior, as the Magi did. Sing together “We Three Kings.”

Colouring Activity

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Kids Bulletin

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Closing Prayer

Father in heaven, we give you today, all that we think, and do, and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen