Keeping the Mystery of the Magi

 Many years ago, when my children were young and WAY before the Elf on the Shelf, we had the mystery of the Wise Men (Magi) starting at some far point of the family room working their way closer and closer to the Nativity.  They would start on the books shelves, go to the mantel, then to the table and finally to the entertainment center where the Manger Scene was.

 It isn't easy keeping Christmas focused on the Birth of Jesus with children.  The success of Elf on a Shelf proves how much children like the mystery of the holiday.  Maybe once your Elf goes back to the North Pole, your family can focus on the mystery of Jesus's birth and the Magi by having them move each day getting closer and closer to their destination.

There are many traditions which focus on the Epiphany:  share some of the traditions from other countries with your children and grandchildren.  Click here.

Matthew 2:1-12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Visit of the Magi

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, ^[a]magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ² “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the ^[b]Messiah was to be born.⁵ They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written ^[c]by the prophet:

⁶ ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them ^[d]the exact time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”⁹ After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they ^[e]fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.¹² And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.