Gospel | Matthew 2:1-12 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
We Three Kings (We’re Not Lost) by Ben Cantelon, Chris Llewellyn, Gareth Gilkeson

Lyrics:
We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain moor and mountain
Following yonder star

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown him again
King forever ceasing never
Over us all to reign

O star of wonder star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

Frankincense and myrrh I bring
See him there our Savior and king
Heaven sings alleluia
Alleluia the earth will sing

In the dark we're not lost
When it's hard we're not lost
Don't lose heart
We're never truly lost

Passage:
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “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.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They 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.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And 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.” 9 After 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And 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. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
(Matthew 2:1–12 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Of the Father’s Love Begotten (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)

Reflection Notes:
This meterless hymn flows freely, a clear indicator of its plainchant origins. The rich text by Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius was a response to the Council of Nicea in the early Church; it establishes belief in the Trinity and Christ’s nature as fully man and fully God.

Prayer:
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.