Submitted by
S. Daly

Age Group
8-14

Aim
To celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany

Faith Group
Catholic
Christian

Resources
Hosts, wine, water, candles, chalice, ciborium, cloths, altar frontal showing the the three gifts
Large sheet of paper showing the Bidding Prayers response

Time of Year
Feast of the Epiphany - January 6th - can now be celebrated on the nearest Sunday

Other Details
This is written as a Mass for a Catholic school, but could be adapted for other services

The theme is Giving and Receiving

Script
HYMN - I saw a star, by J. McCrimmon (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 282)

PRIEST - Before Mass
Today we celebrate the visit of the Wise Men to the Son of God.
For the first time, 2000 years ago, people from different lands recognised Jesus as God's Son. Today we're going to think about the gifts that those men brought and especially about the gifts that we give and receive.

PRIEST - First Prayer
God our Father, we remember the visit of the Wise Men to your Son. They brought gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Their gifts showed what they believed and thought about Jesus.
Every day we receive many gifts from you. Help us to remember, when we use your gifts, that you give them to us because you love us and care for us. We ask for your help through your Son, Jesus...

CHILD - First Reading (1 Kings 10: 1-10)
The First Reading is from the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament.
It tells of the time when King Solomon received gifts from a royal visitor - just as later Jesus was to receive gifts from the Wise Men.

"The Queen of Sheba was so impressed by King Solomon's fame, that she came with a great retinue of her officers to Jerusalem City, with camel trains carrying spices and gold and precious stones. It was his wisdom that drew her. They talked together, and she spoke freely to him, asking questions and listening to his answers - he seemed to know everything.

She gave the king a splendid present - gold and spices and precious stones. The king never again received so splendid a gift.

He returned her kindness and gave her all she asked for. Then she and her retinue went back home."

This is the word of the Lord...

PRIEST - Gospel (Matt 2: 1-5, 7-11)
"After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem in Judaea, during the reign of King Herod, some Wise Men came to Jerusalem from the East. "Where is the Infant King of the Jews?" they asked. "We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage."
When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole people of Jerusalem. He called together all the leaders of the people and asked them where Christ was to be born.
"At Bethlehem in Judaea", they told him.

Then Herod called the Wise Men. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared and sent them on to Bethlehem. "Go and find out all about the child," he said, "and when you have found him, let me know." Having listened to what the King had to say, they set out.

And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising: it went forward and stopped over the place where the child was.
The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his Mother, Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh."

This is the Gospel of the Lord...

CHILDREN - Prayers of the Faithful
1. The response is "Hear our prayer."

Lord, it must have made you glad to give Jesus to the world, when you knew the joy he would bring to people. We pray that, in this new year, people may open their hearts to Jesus and make room for him in their lives.
Lord in your mercy...

2. When Jesus was born, a sparkling star shone in the sky.
When Jesus was born, people hurried to the stable to see him.
When Jesus was born, God gave the world a very special gift, the gift of love.
This year, may we all try to give each other the gift of love.
Lord in your mercy...

3. When the Wise Men came they brought much more than gold, frankincense and myrrh.
They brought their knowledge and wisdom, which helped them find their way to Jesus.
They brought the time it took them to make the long journey.
They brought their faith, which kept them following the star.
We have no expensive gifts to offer, but help us to use our learning, our time and our faith in following you
Lord in your mercy...

4. God, chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. She then gave him to us.
Let us pray that Mary our mother will show us how to give of our best and to do what God wants. Hail Mary...

HYMN before the Offertory - We Three Kings, by J. Hopkins (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 788)

PRIEST - Second Prayer
Father, accept our gifts. We do not offer you spices, jewels, gold, frankincense or myrrh, but we offer you your own Son, Jesus in the bread and wine - the Jesus who came into our lives to show us the way to you, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

PRIEST - Eucharistic Prayer for Children

Taped Taize music or carols during Communion

PRIEST - Third Prayer
God our Father, you accepted our gift and you have given us the greatest gift in the world, your Son, Jesus Christ. Each time we offer and receive gifts at Mass like this, make us more like that Son of Yours, more pleasing to you.
We ask this through that same Son, Jesus, who lives...

HYMN - The First Nowell (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 692)