His Star by Catharine Shaw

How happy those men look! They are pointing to a bright star, and it is one which they are very glad to see.

They have come a very long journey; and they have had to go through hot deserts where there is no water to be had.

What made them take that journey, do you think?

When people go a long way, they generally want to see some one at the end of it. And these wise men from the East wanted to see some one too.

They had come all that way to see a King! When they reached the end of their journey and got to Jerusalem, their first question was, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him."

Now Herod was the king of the Jews at that time, a king set up by the Romans; and when he heard what the wise men said, he did not like it at all.

So he inquired of the chief priests whether they knew where Christ should be born; and when he understood that God had said in the Scriptures that He should be born in Bethlehem, he sent secretly for the wise men, and told them to search for the Baby King, and when they had found Him, to let him know, and he would come and worship Him too.

So the wise men left King Herod, and when they began their journey again, lo! The star which they had seen in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the dear little Baby with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshipped Him; and when they had opened their treasures-which you know the camels had brought all that way-they presented to the dear Lord Jesus gifts from their store, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Then God warned them in a dream to go back to their country another way, and not to return to Herod, who was a wicked man, and did not really want to worship the Lord Jesus at all.

Do you not think you would have liked to be with the wise men, and have found the dear little Baby, and have had the joy of giving Him gifts from your treasures?

If you say "Yes," dear children, then remember that you have a treasure which the dear Lord Jesus wants above all else-that is, the love of your heart! Do not forget that we can make Jesus glad now, by giving Him that!