Christian Resources

Wise Men - Epiphany

Free online resources based on the Biblical story of the wise men, or the Magi. Also known as Epiphany, this story can be found in the Bible in the book of Matthew. See below for links to sermons, songs, stories and entertaining sites for this Christmas story. 

Wise Men For Kids: Bible Stories - Children's Stories - Children's Activities - Children's Sermons - Music, Plays & Poetry - More Wise Men Resources

Wise Men For Teens & Adults: Devotions & Sermons - Educational Links - Potluck - Neat Wise Men Related Sites

Updated 11/9/08

"Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him.' " --  Matthew 2:1-2 NLT

Background - The Wise Men, Kings or Magi

Epiphany is the day we celebrate the visit of the Magi, or the Wise Men. Not much is known about these visitors other than what Matthew records in the first book of the New Testament. We know they were from the East and studied the stars. We also know that they had some knowledge of the history and prophecies concerning Israel. They followed a star to Bethlehem, but contrary to the popular Nativity scenes, they probably arrived a year or two after Jesus' birth.

There is no mention of the number of wise men, although it has been assumed that there were three based on the three gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh. Religious tradition has even given them names: Balthazar, Caspar (or Gaspar), and Melchior. 

We do know for a fact that wise men came and worshipped Jesus. It was an important enough event for Matthew to add it to his account of the birth of Jesus. This was God announcing his long-awaited son's arrival on the earth to the Gentile world. And it provides further confirmation of God's universal love.

Epiphany in 2009 is celebrated on Tuesday, January 6th. The other important events of the Christmas season include:

    Advent - (11/30-12/24) Preparation for Christ's arrival.
    Christmas Eve - (12/24) The Night Before Christmas.
    Christmas Day - (12/25) Celebration of the birth of Jesus.
    The Twelve Days of Christmas - (12/25-1/5) Twelve days starting Christmas night until the day before Epiphany.

    Epiphany - (1/6) Also known as Three Kings' Day celebrates the visit of the 3 wise men.

Read the Epiphany story in five popular Bible translations - AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:

Epiphany

Matthew 2 - Visit of the Magi and escape to Egypt.

Read the Old Testament prophecies related to the visit of the Magi in five popular Bible translations - AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:

Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem would be the birthplace.

Psalm 72:10-11 - Kings will present him gifts.

Jeremiah 31:15 - The massacre of Bethlehem's children.

Hosea 11:1 - The escape to Egypt.  

Check out all the wonderful Epiphany content linked below and learn more about the visit of the Magi.

-- Epiphany Resources --

Bible Stories - Scriptures and Adaptations on the Wise Men
The Wise Men - A Bible paraphrase for kids
http://www.just4kidsmagazine.com/wisemen.html
 

Shepherds and Wise Men - A Bible story with discussion questions
http://www.christadelphians.ns.ca/stories/shepherds.htm

 
Children's Stories - Original Fiction Based on the Three Kings Story
The Three Camels - The story of the camels that carried the three wise men to see Jesus.

http://matneywoodard.home.att.net/The_Three_Camels.htm

Heli, The Star of Bethlehem - A little star's faith in God is rewarded when she is selected to be the Christmas star and announce Jesus' birth.
http://matneywoodard.home.att.net/heli_star.htm
 

Children's Activities, Crafts & Coloring Pages for Epiphany
The Three Wise Men - Bible coloring page
http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_bible/3wise_matthew2t.htm

The Christmas Star - How to make a Christmas Star
http://www.first-school.ws/activities/nrhymes/twinkle.htm
  
 

Children's Sermons & Lessons on the Magi
The Three Camels - An Animal Parable Bible lesson based on this story - a parable about seeing the whole picture.
http://matneywoodard.home.att.net/APLesson_3camels.htm

The Wise Men - Background info on the Wise Men from AnniesHomePage.com - dedicated page

http://www.annieshomepage.com/wisemen.html

All The Wise Men - A short lesson about the wise men
http://www.whychristmas.com/story/wisemen.shtml

The Wise Men - A lesson outline for young children
http://www.edupatterns.com/lesson_29.htm

The Wise Men - A children's devotion on the wise men - available in English and Vietnamese

http://www.hopeway.org/gospel/children/en_nt03.asp

Epiphany - A classroom presentation on the wise men
http://cowo.culham.ac.uk/assemblies/021p_epiphany.php

Wise Men Worship Jesus - A presentation on Epiphany
http://www.childrensermons.com/sermons/wisemen.htm
 

Wise Men - A Bible lesson on the wise men
http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Lessons/1birthchrist04.php
 

Gifts and Wise Men - Bible lesson based on the gifts given by the wise men. Includes lessons on the symbols of Christmas.
http://www.athomeschool.com/unitstudy/christmas_symbols_11.htm

 
Children's Music, Plays & Poetry for the Wise Men story
The Three Camels - A Christmas play based on an adaptation of "The Three Camels", a Christmas story about the three wise men and their camels: Erin, Nina, and Penda. The camels asked God to send them on a great adventure and boy did He ever! 
http://matneywoodard.home.att.net/3camels_play.htm

Heli, The Star of Bethlehem - A Christmas play based on an adaptation of "Heli, The Star of Bethlehem", a Christmas story about a little star who learns that God doesn't look for the biggest or the brightest, but those willing to put their complete faith in what He can do in their lives.
http://matneywoodard.home.att.net/heli_play.htm

The Three Wise Men - An idea for a play about the wise men for little kids.
http://thebillabong.info/otm_adv/otm29_p25.html

Additional Resources & Links on Epiphany and the Christmas Season
Christmas Resources For Teachers - Christmas stories and activities 

http://mssscrafts.com/miscellaneous/christmas.htm
 

Christmas Resources For Teachers #2 - Christmas stories, poems, skits, activities and much more 

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/christmas-religious/

Christmas Stories For Older Kids - Short stories and articles on Christmas geared towards older kids and adults 

http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/

Christmas Crafts - Secular crafts and activities for Christmas
http://childfun.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3

Christmas Resources - Site provides links to Christian Christmas resources and ideas.
http://www.annieshomepage.com/christmas.html

Christian Christmas Resources - Site provides links to Christian Christmas resources and ideas. 

http://peggiesplace.gospelcom.net/Christmas.htm

Christmas Coloring Pages - Links to coloring pages on the Bible and the Christmas story. 

http://www.silk.net/RelEd/lessonplans4.htm

Christmas Poems and Stories - A collection of classic poems and stories
http://www.christmas-poems.com/

Christmas Short Stories - Christmas articles and stories from Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries
http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/

-- Epiphany Stuff For Teens and Adults --

Devotions, Discussions & Sermons About the Wise Men

Wise Men Went Back "Another Way" - A devotion on how God changes lives based on the wise men story from Pen Holder Ministries.
http://www.devotions.com/2003/01/wise-men-went-back-another-way.html

The Three Wise Men - Background study on the story of the Three Wise Men - for teens and adults
http://www.keithhunt.com/BibleStoryNT2b.html
 

When Magi Camped in Bethlehem - An article by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson on the story of the Three Wise Men
http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/magicamp.htm

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh - A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick on the meaning of the Wise Men's Gifts
http://www.webedelic.com/church/goldt.htm

Educational - Archaeology, History & Theology Concerning the Magi
The Star of Bethlehem - A US astronomer claims he has found the first mention of the star of Bethlehem outside the Bible.
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991713

The Christmas Star - A thorough site that discusses the Christmas star
http://www.bethlehemstar.net/

The Wise Men - Separating truth from myth about the wise men.
http://www.bible.ca/D-Xmas-story.htm

The Magi or Wise Men - Info on the wise men from the Catholic encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09527a.htm

Three Kings - Information on Epiphany
http://www.serve.com/adnet/index.html

How did the wise men know to come? - An informative discussion on prophecy and the wise men

http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1751.cfm

The Wise Men - The Magi/Wise Men FAQ

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For? Search Google For More Wise Men Resources. Suggested Search Terms: Wise Men, Magi, Epiphany, Christian Stories for Epiphany, Visit of the Magi, Children's Christmas Stories, Epiphany Sermons for Kids, Christmas Crafts, Projects for Epiphany, Wise Men Sermons, Nativity, Mary, Joseph, Three Kings, Epiphany Lessons, Gold, frankincense, myrrh, Bethlehem, Angels, Star of Bethlehem, King Herod

http://www.orlutheran.com/html/magifaq.html

Potluck - Neat Stuff That Doesn't Fit Anywhere Else on Epiphany
The Gift of the Magi - The Classic Christmas story by O. Henry 
http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/Gift_of_the_Magi.html
 

The Journey of the Magi - A poem by T. S. Eliot 
http://www.blight.com/~sparkle/poems/magi.html

Epiphany - Through the eyes of the secular world
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_%28Christian%29

Epiphany - Celebrations around the world 
http://www.helium.com/items/372339-epiphany-celebration-observed-january

An Interview with Herod - A fictional interview with Herod about the birth of Jesus and the visit of the wise men
http://www.new-life.net/chrtms09.htm

Nativity of Jesus In Art - Nativity artwork throughout history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_of_Jesus_in_art

Nativity Scene - The origins of the nativity scene
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_scene

See also Christmas, Nativity

Do you know an interesting site that should be added? Drop us an email and let us know!

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NEW TESTAMENT: Christmas  Easter  Good Samaritan  Nativity  Palm Sunday  Prodigal Son  Wise Men

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