Wednesday, December 26, 2012
The Visit of the Magi
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel (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 Messiah 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.
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We had a beautiful sunny day for Christmas and just a little snow here and there. The roads were cleared. I ate a beautiful Christmas meal at dear friends of mine. I enjoyed it very much.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Messiah given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Sing with joy My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who celebrated the anniversary My birth yesterday. My heavenly Father showed the Magi the star to let them know that the king of the Jews was born. So they left their home in the East and journeyed to Jerusalem and to Bethlehem. They found Me and My mother and they knelt and paid homage to Me. The importance of the Magi is this:
I was sent by My Father for the salvation of not only the Jewish people but for the salvation of all the people of the world. The Magi were not Jews but of another race. It does not matter what country you come from, I came for your salvation as well. So come believe in your Savior and follow Me and you too will be saved. I love you all whether you are from the north or the south, the west or the east.”
Father Melvin