Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days when Herod was king, surprisingly, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one born king of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Hearing this, Herod, the king, was troubled—and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired as to where The Messiah would be born. And they answered, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for the prophet wrote, ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah, for a governor will come from you to shepherd my people, Israel.”

Then Herod secretly met with the wise men, and asked in detail when the star had appeared. Sending them to Bethlehem, he said, “Go and diligently search for the young child; and when you have found him, report word back to me so that I can come and worship him, too.”

When they had heard the king, they left; and, sure-enough, the star, which they had first seen in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced beyond description.

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him. When they had opened their treasures, they offered him their gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And God warning them in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they went home by a different route.