18 - The Wise Men

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. ( 18 )

References:
Matthew 2:1-12.

Contemplation on Nativity - H. H. Pop Shenouda III.
Notes for Servants

★ The Magi gave Jesus gold, (because He is King) frankincense (for His
priesthood) and myrrh (for His sufferings to save us).
★ Contemplate how the Magi set their minds on the coming of Christ and how
the Jews were indifferent. Make a comparison and see where you stand.
★ Enter your private prayer room and pray to the Lord to guide you by His light to
Bethlehem. So that, Christ may abide in your heart and cleanse you from
all sins.

Objectives

General: To show how the Magi loved the New Born Divine Baby and the
the necessity of showing our love to Him.
Specific:
The children will be able to ...
A. Learn that the wise men represent the gentiles in welcoming
Christ to the world.
B. know the meaning of each gift.
C. Express what gift they can give to Jesus today.

Bible Verse

" They presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. " (Matt 2:11)

Teaching Aids
1. Felt figure and flannel board.
2. Video.

Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
Story Time

The Magi are great people from the east. They studied astronomy and
watched the stars and the universe. They admired the solar system, the lunar
system and the stars and the galaxy. They worshipped fire and stars. When they
saw a new star, they thought that a new king was born. In a very dark night, three
of them were studying the stars. They saw a new star. It was bright. It had a
special orbit. They saw a new king who will be born in Jerusalem as the Jewish
Scripture says. "Let us go to worship Him." They said.
They went there on camels. It was a long journey. They took food and
clothes. Each took a gift to offer to the newborn king. They set off.
At last, they arrived in Jerusalem. All the people who saw them were
amazed and asked why they had come. They were strangers, the colours of their
clothes, their language. They enquired about the new born King. The people led
them to Herod. Herod was upset. The King sent for the high priests and the
scribes and asked them where this new King was. They answered quickly, "In
Bethlehem." The king became more upset. Then, there were prophecies of
Christ. He sent the priests away. Then, Herod summoned the wise men secretly
and ascertained from them what time the star appeared and he sent them to
Bethlehem, "Go and search diligently for the child and when you have found Him
bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him." Herod decided to kill
Christ.
The wise men left the royal palace and headed for Bethlehem. The star
which they had seen in the East went before them. It came to rest over the place
where the child Jesus was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly
with great joy. It was a small house. They entered.
(Who did they see?) The child Jesus with Mary and Joseph.
They offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense, myrrh.
The servant will continue,
Why have you offered gold? For His is the King of kings.
Why have you offered frankincense? For He is a priest
Why have you offered myrrh? For His sufferings and passions.
Then, they had seen a vision, that the should go back from another way.
They went home rejoicing.
Discussion
   1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
   2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.
Learning Activities
   Activity Sheet.