Matthew 2:1–12

1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

“See the birthplace of Christ in a whole new way this Advent season with The Bright Star of Bethlehem material. Parishioners will learn more about the little town where Jesus was born so long ago, and what Jesus, who is the Bright Star of Bethlehem, reveals to us even today.”

This introductory paragraph comes from the website for Creative Communications where we are getting this year’s Sunday Advent theme, “The Bright Star of Christmas”. It will include the 4 Sundays in Advent, December 1st, 8th, 15th, and the 22nd. It might also include the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service as well as the Christmas Day Service. It will be good for us as a congregation to look and meditate together on a theme for this Advent Season. Advent is a Latin word that means, “to come”. We know that Christ was promised to come as a baby in Bethlehem. We also know that Jesus promised His disciples to come at the end of the world. But also during this time of Advent we see and meditate on how Jesus “comes” to us now in the Word and the Sacraments. So please join us for the Advent services on Sunday morning, Wednesday mornings at 11:30, then again at 7:00 in the evening. It is good for us together as a congregation to devote ourselves to the Bible and coming together for worship and prayers. Also the Bible Class on Sunday morning will include studies on the each one of the week’s topics, they include, The Star of Creation, The Star of Unity, The Star of Hope, and The Star of Joy. Please join us as we meditate on the words of Holy Scripture together this Advent and then Christmas Season.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Dose