Please read slowly and reflectively.

Slowly count to five at the end of each line.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (FIRST READER ONLY)

Magi from the East arrived in Jerusalem asking/

"Where is the newborn King of the Jews?/

We saw his star at its rising/

And have come to pay him homage."

King Herod was greatly troubled when he heard this/

He inquired of his chief priests and scribes where the Christ was to be born./

Then he called the Magi secretly/

To find out from them the time of the star's appearance./

He sent them to Bethlehem saying, "Go and search diligently for the child./

When you have found him, bring me word/

That I too may go and pay him homage."/

They set out and the star preceded them/

Until it stopped over the place where the child was/

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary and Joseph/

And they were full of joy./