Children's Liturgy Guide

Epiphany of the Lord

Year C · Christmas

Following the Star to Jesus

Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Wise men from a faraway land saw a special star in the sky and followed it all the way to find baby Jesus. They brought him precious gifts and bowed down to worship him because they knew he was a very special king.

Key Points

  • The Wise Men searched for Jesus even though the journey was long and difficult
  • A star led them to exactly where Jesus was
  • They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor Jesus as king
  • When they found Jesus, they bowed down and worshiped him
  • God helped the Wise Men find Jesus and guided them safely home

Background

The Magi were Gentile astrologers from the East, likely Persia, representing the revelation of Christ to all nations, not just Israel. Their three gifts symbolize kingship (gold), divinity (frankincense), and suffering or burial (myrrh). Herod's fear reveals the threat Jesus poses to worldly power. The dream warning them to avoid Herod shows God's providential protection. For children, emphasize the journey of searching for Jesus, the joy of finding him, and the response of giving our best to him. Set aside the political intrigue with Herod and the deeper symbolism of the gifts, which can be explored in later years.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank you for sending the star to guide the Wise Men to Jesus. Help us to always look for Jesus and to give him our very best, just like the Wise Men did. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever looked for something really special, like a hidden treasure or a surprise, and felt so happy when you finally found it?

Example: One time I looked everywhere for my favorite stuffed animal and when I found it under my bed I was so happy I hugged it really tight.

Bridge to the reading: That happy feeling when you find something special is just like what happened in today's reading. Some Wise Men traveled a very long way, following a bright star, because they were searching for someone very special, baby Jesus.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Who came looking for baby Jesus in today's reading?

    Example: Some Wise Men came from far away in the East because they saw a special star and wanted to find the new king.

  2. What did the Wise Men follow to find where Jesus was?

    Example: They followed a bright star in the sky that moved and led them all the way to where baby Jesus was staying.

  3. What did the Wise Men do when they found Jesus?

    Example: They bowed down to worship him and they opened up their treasure boxes and gave him special gifts like gold.

  4. Why do you think the Wise Men traveled such a long way to see a baby?

    Example: I think they knew Jesus was really special and important, like a king, so they wanted to meet him and show him love.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you think the Wise Men felt when the star finally stopped and they found Jesus?

    Example: I think they felt so happy and excited because they had been looking for a really long time and they finally found him.

  2. The Wise Men gave their best gifts to Jesus. What is something special you could give to Jesus, like your time or kindness?

    Example: I could give Jesus my best behavior and be really kind to my little brother even when he bothers me.

  3. This week, how can you look for Jesus, maybe in prayer or by helping someone?

    Example: I can look for Jesus by saying my prayers before bed and asking him to help me be good at school.

Recap

Today we heard about the Wise Men who followed a bright star on a long journey to find baby Jesus. When they found him, they were so happy that they bowed down to worship him and gave him their very best gifts. We can be like the Wise Men by looking for Jesus and giving him our best too.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the people around the world who are still searching to know Jesus, that God will guide them like a bright star, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

At Mass, when we bring forward the gifts of bread and wine during the Offertory procession, we are like the Wise Men bringing our gifts to Jesus. We offer what we have to honor him, just as the Magi offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord Jesus, the Wise Men brought you gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We bring you our love and our promise to follow you. Help us to always look for you and to share your love with everyone we meet. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Following the Star to Jesus

Matthew 2:1-12

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

Y U X E I N R E I J W Y T L E
K I E S L W I S E K G G O L D
U B U C S U S E J O U R N E Y
G T P K I N G Z U A Q B O A Y
O M V X S D P R R V S N V D S
B E T H L E H E M U E R U L L
O S W N D G P J S E A R C H K
O I R W J W V D C C H V L R R
S T F I G C J E Q L E Z M K O
K A I H Q P I H S R O W Y X C
C S R G W E C Z L E L E R V P
Y T X L H Z E T G I Q N R P F
D A Y I H B E N C G P I H P S
Y R J L Z P G D M L F P D O R
C B R W F D R P D C V B Q I L

Words to find

  • star
  • Wise
  • gifts
  • gold
  • Jesus
  • worship
  • journey
  • Bethlehem
  • king
  • myrrh
  • search

ChildrensLiturgy.org