The Birth of Jesus II

Christian Religious Studies J.S.S2 First Term

Sub-theme: The Early Years of Jesus

Week 2

The Birth of Jesus II

Performance objectives

Students should be able to:

1. Describe the visit of the wise men to baby Jesus

2. State the significance of the gift presented.

Content

The visit of the wise men Mattew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Herod was the king then, three wise men came from the east to Jerusalem and told Herod that a king was born and they had seen his star in the east and have come to worship him. When Herod heard these, he was troubled because he did not want a rival king, so he called the chief priests and scribes together asking them where the king was born and they told him it was in Bethlehem of Judea which has been written by the prophets.

Herod secretly asked the wise men to go to Bethlehem to search for Jesus and when they find him, they should come back to tell him so he comes and worships him, but the king was only pretending.

When the three wise men departed, the star which they saw in the east went before them still it came and stood over where Jesus was, they rejoice and there was great joy when they saw the star. They went into the manger and they saw the young child, with Mary his mother and they fell down and worshipped him, then they opened their treasures and presented unto him gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

 

The shepherd visits Luke 2:8-20

The major importance of the visit of the wise men was to worship Jesus upon seeing him.

Others include:

1. Acknowledging the birth of Jesus

2. Presenting the gift to Jesus

3. Recognized Jesus as the lord and king.

The gifts of the wise men are:

1. Gold which symbolizes royalty of Jesus.

2. Frankincense which symbolizes spiritual work of his salvation.

3. Myrrh which symbolizes the death of Jesus.