It was not only a new star, but a moving star. Like a bright fingertip
in the heavens, it seemed to beckon them on. The Wise Men were rich
and important, and thought nothing of a journey. At once they made
ready and set out to see where the star would lead them. For many days
they traveled across the desert, and at last they came to Jerusalem.

Although they were not Jews, they had heard that a Messiah was
expected someday in Palestine. When they saw that the star had brought
them to Jerusalem, they decided that the Messiah must have come.

"We are strangers here," they said to each other. "We had better ask
our way."

King Herod was in Jerusalem just then, and the Wise Men went to his
palace. Since they were rich and famous, they had no trouble getting
in to see the king.

They bowed down respectfully before the king, and Herod received them
with courtesy. Then the Wise Men asked:

[Illustration]

"Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We have seen his star in the
east. We have come to worship him, but we do not know where he is."

Herod was surprised, and then he was angry. A new king of the Jews?
Why, Herod himself was the king of the Jews! However, he hid his
feelings, and answered,

"I will find out what you want to know."

He left the Wise Men, and hurried off to consult with his advisers.

"The Messiah!" he shouted. "Where do they say the Messiah will be
born?"

Solemnly he was told:

"In Bethlehem. An ancient book of the Holy Scriptures tells us that
out of Bethlehem shall come a governor to rule the people of Israel."

Fear and jealousy boiled up in Herod. But a king must control his
feelings, and Herod was old and wise. When he had called his three
visitors to him, he was as smooth and polite as ever. He told them
that they would find the child in Bethlehem.

"Go there," Herod said, "and look for him carefully. And when you have
found him come and tell me, for I too want to go and worship him."

The Wise Men thanked the king, and set out for Bethlehem. Soon they
arrived at the place where Joseph and Mary were staying with the baby.
It was very different from Herod's palace.

There the three Wise Men fell down on their knees as they would before
a king. They opened their treasures and put their gifts in front of
the baby. One brought gold. The others brought sweet-smelling
ointments, frankincense and myrrh.

"Hail, Messiah!" they murmured in adoration. "Hail, Christ! Hail, King
of the Jew