Cycle C, Gospel reflection, children's liturgy devotional, children's sermon, children's homily, Catholic, Christian, Good News #C6, The Epiphany of the Lord, children's devotional, three magi, three wisemen visit Jesus Luke 2:1-12

Cycle C

Good News C6

The Epiphany of the Lord

Bible Gateway New International Version Matthew 2:1-12

Names and description of 3 kings and their gifts by Terry Ann Modica

The Three Wisemen came to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews?” When King Herod heard this, he was very jealous. He was afraid that this newborn king was going to take his power away from him. To hide his fear, and he told the Wise Men to come back and tell him where the king was. He lied and told them he wanted to worship this king. However, Herod wanted to kill the baby king. Six miles south of Jerusalem, the kings found Jesus in Bethlehem. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. According to Terry Ann Modica a writing from the 700’s describes the Magi as of three different races, and three different age groups. They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod because he meant to do harm to the baby.

The old man brought gold to Jesus because Jesus was king and deserved the most precious of gifts. The young man brought frankincense because it was a gift fit for God, because Jesus was indeed, the second person of the Blessed Trinity, the Son of God. The third man with black skin brought myrrh oil to Jesus because he was to suffer and die as man.

You have “gold” to give God, today. Gold is the money you earn by doing chores to put in the collection to help your church get a new furnace. Gold is the time you spend helping your younger brother who is having trouble with his math, even though you want to watch your favorite football team on television. Gold is finding a peaceful way to solve a problem between you and your best friend when you would really like to punch her in the nose. When you give your talent, your time, and your money to God and his people, you are giving to God.

You have “frankincense” to give God today. Frankincense is the prayer you say for the people you love. Frankincense is the prayer you say for the people you don’t understand. Frankincense is when you read the Bible. Frankincense is when you obey the commandments of God. Frankincense is when you pray that God send help to those you cannot help. Frankincense is when you praise your God as a loving God. Frankincense is when you are thankful to God for all he has given you.

You have “myrrh” to give God, today. Myrrh is when you follow in the path that God has chosen for you. Myrrh is when you offer all of your sickness and suffering to God. Myrrh is when you are truly sorry when you go take an exit off God’s interstate highway and hurt yourself and others. Myrrh is when you cry at injustice and do what God wants you to do to make things right. Myrrh is when you accept that you are not perfect and still love yourself and others. Myrrh is when you forgive yourself and others.

Pray the Our Father. Jesus said, “What you do for the least of these, you do for me.” When you give your gifts to God, he gives them back to you three times over. For the one hand you reach out to others, three hands will reach out to you. God’s love surrounds you.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”