Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of king Herod, wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the East and have come to honor him.”When Herod heard this he was greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem. He immediately called a meeting of all high­ ranking priests and teachers of the law, and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In the town of Bethlehem in Judea,” they told him, “for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will come a leader, onewho is to shepherd my people Israel.

”Then Herod secretly called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions, “Go and get accurate information about the child. As soon as you have found him, report to me, so that I, too, may go and honor him.”After the meeting with the king, they set out. The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshiped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way.

Lectio Divina
READ: Though the world is still in darkness, Isaiah heralds the coming dawn of God’s day. According to Paul, this dawn is not only for Israel but for all the nations. That new day is signaled by a rising star—which the wise men follow. But for Herod, a new day signals a threat to his power.
REFLECT: New beginnings hold promise for those who live in hope. But what of those who hold power and privilege or benefit from the status quo? For them, the promise of change can be threatening. Thus, for King Herod news of a “newborn king” fills him with dread. God promises to make all things new. For those on the margins this is cause for rejoicing. For the rest, we are challenged to let go of attachments, to leave our old country, and follow where God is leading us.
PRAY: God, let me arise and welcome your new day.
ACT: Reflect on frightening experiences of change in your life; where was God present in those experiences?