Matthew 2:1-2, NIRV

The Wise Men Visit Jesus

2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. This happened while Herod was king of Judea. After Jesus’ birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. ²They asked, “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose. Now we have come to worship him.”

Object:

Have small, shiny star stickers for each child. If you want to be more elaborate, create your own “stars” with cardstock and aluminum foil. This week, you could even have children create their own stars in Sunday school or Children’s Church. For help, watch this YouTube video. When creating the small stars, ensure each child will receive one, and be as creative as your prep time allows.

Message:

Have you ever been in a room or space that was completely dark? (Allow children to answer.) When you go to bed at night, are the curtains closed, and is your room completely dark? (Allow children to answer.) Do you have a night light to help provide light? (Allow children to answer.) If your bedroom is completely dark, how do you eliminate the darkness? (Allow children to answer.) You can turn on a light! As soon as the light comes on, what happens to the dark? (Allow children to answer.) It’s gone, isn’t it?

What about when you are outside and the sun starts to set? Darkness begins to creep in. What can you do to get rid of darkness then? (Allow children to answer.) We could get a flashlight and turn it on, couldn’t we?

We have ways of getting rid of darkness. But when we turn off the lights, forget to turn on our night light, close the curtains, or forget our flashlight, and it's nighttime, darkness has a way of returning.

Today, January 5, Christians celebrate Epiphany. Say that word with me. (Let children repeat the word.) Epiphany. Epiphany means appearance. On this day, many Christians remember the appearance of Jesus Christ to the wise men. Did you have wise men in your Nativity scene? (Allow children to answer.) Do you know how the wise men found Jesus? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right, they followed a bright star. (Take out one of the aluminum foil stars.) This star shone so brightly that people could even see it in the daytime when all the other stars in the sky had disappeared. Wow! That’s bright. We call this star the Christmas star. From far away, the wise men saw the light the Christmas star in the east, followed it, and came to worship Jesus. The Christmas star was very bright, and it guided people to where Jesus was, but there was a much greater light that they discovered when they arrived. Do you know what that greater light is called? (Allow children to respond.) That’s right, his name is Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world! His coming is good news for the whole world!

If you live in the northern half of the earth, Epiphany comes at a time of year when the days are very short, and there is not a lot of light. Celebrating Epiphany reminds us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. When we open our hearts and lives to follow Jesus, his light chases away all the dark spaces until no darkness is left. Jesus came to bring us all light and life.

I have a star for each of you to carry with you this week. Place it somewhere that you may find and feel darkness. Place it by your bed at night to remind you in those moments, you begin to feel darkness creep in and become afraid that Jesus is with you. Place the star somewhere in your house to remind you and your family just how bright the light from the Christmas star was and how the wise men and others followed it to find Jesus and his love. I wonder where you will place your star as a reminder of how much God loves you!

Epiphany Sunday is the day we celebrate the wise men and their journey following the star. They believed in Jesus, and when they found him, they worshiped him. Be as wise as these men. The wisest thing you can do in life is to believe in Jesus and follow him.

Prayer:

Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world that shows us God’s love. Warm my heart with the light of your love. Shine on me, so that I can share your light with others. Amen.