Bible story · Part 6 of 7 · 5 min
A Star Guides the Wise Men
Far from Bethlehem, in lands to the east, some wise men had seen a special star.
They wanted to understand God's promises. They had learned that he would send the Savior, and they understood that this star announced the birth of a king.
They wanted to find him and worship him.
They prepared gifts and began a long journey.
After Jesus' birth, that long road brought them to Jerusalem.
There they began to ask:
“Where is the king of the Jews who has been born? We saw his star and have come to worship him.”
King Herod heard the news.
But he was not happy. He was worried that another king had been born: he was afraid of losing his power.
Herod gathered the chief priests and teachers who knew the Scriptures.
He asked where the promised Savior was to be born.
They answered: in Bethlehem.
The prophets' words pointed to that place.
Then Herod spoke to the wise men in secret.
He asked when they had seen the star.
Then he sent them to Bethlehem.
“Look for the child,” he said. “When you find him, tell me so I can go and worship him too.”
But Herod was not being honest. He did not want to worship Jesus.
The wise men continued their journey.
And they saw the star again.
What joy they felt!
The star led them to the place where the child was.
They entered a house and found Jesus with Mary, his mother.
They had arrived.
After searching so long, they could see him.
The wise men bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasures.
They offered him gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
These were valuable gifts they had brought to honor him. Gold was a precious metal. Frankincense and myrrh were tree resins: sweet-smelling substances people collected and kept. Frankincense was burned for its fragrance, and myrrh was used in perfumes and ointments.
Jesus was not in the palace in Jerusalem.
Even so, the wise men worshiped him with joy.
They recognized the king they had come to find.
Their journey did not end there. They still had to return to their own land.
But that night, they received a warning in a dream: they must not return to Herod.
God was guiding them so they would not help the king find the child.
The wise men obeyed.
They chose another road to return home.
They had traveled from very far away.
Now they returned with the memory of a wonderful meeting.
They had met Jesus.
Their gifts stayed with the family, but they took with them a joy that could not fit in any treasure chest.
Mary and Joseph continued caring for the child.
They did not yet know that they would soon have to leave Bethlehem.
The story of Jesus' birth will continue.
Adapted from Matthew 2:1–12.
Also based on The Desire of Ages, chapter 6.
Talk about it together
- Perseverance
- Generosity
- Wisdom
A verse to remember
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3:6NKJV
- Why did the wise men return to their land by another road?
- How did they feel when they saw the guiding star again?
- What gift of time or help can you offer without buying anything?
Activity · 2–5 minutes
A Gift of My Time
Each person chooses a gift of help they can give now: listen for two minutes to something another person wants to share, put away five toys, or get someone’s pencils ready. Take turns saying whom you will help, then give your gift. When you finish, thank Jesus for his love. We do not need to buy his love with gifts; we can respond with gratitude and service.
Try it today: I can offer my time and help as a way to show care.
More stories with these values
Activities for this story
Play online or print materials for home, classroom, and family.
Matthew names three gifts but does not say how many wise men visited Jesus; the three travelers in the picture are an artistic choice. The Desire of Ages, chapter 6, explains how they studied God’s promises. In the verse, to “acknowledge” God means to turn to him as we make decisions.