Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The Visit of the Magi
Dear Friends,
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. (Passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew 2:1-12)
For New Year’s Eve, I will have one hour of adoration in the Little Shrine of Our Lady of Prince Edward Island. We will start at 11:00 p.m. and end at 12:00 midnight, the beginning of the New Year. We will thank the Lord for the past year and we will pray for God’s blessing on all the people during the New Year that will begin.
(Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words:)
“I bless you and fill you all with My graces, brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in the world today. Some days after My birth, I had the visit of the Magi, three wise men, who came from the East to pay homage to Me. They had seen My star and they decided to follow it. When they reached Jerusalem the star disappeared and so they asked the people there if they knew where the King of the Jews was born. The chief priests and the scribes knew that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem and so King Herod sent them there. After they left, the star appeared to them again and they followed it right to the house where I was and they paid Me homage and gave me great gifts. This is the way to honor the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The Magi taught you that I am the One expected for thousands of years and now I have arrived. You, My friends, know that I was born in Bethlehem and every year you celebrate the day of My birth. What is important at Christmas is that you concentrate on My birth. I am the Son of God who comes to live among you. The Magi’s actions show their great faith and love for Me. You too are to accept me as they did. I love you all.”
Father Melvin