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The Lord be with you.

A reading from the Holy Gospel is written to us by Matthew.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold Mejai from the East arrived in Jerusalem.

And they said, where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do

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 this Christ was to be born.

And 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, call the Magi secretly and he ascertained from them the

time of the Stars appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go, 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 murmur.

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