Follow the star: a children’s sermon for Epiphany

What you need

Cut a star about 8 inches across from yellow paper or from cardboard covered in aluminum foil, and tape it to a ruler, a dowel, or a paper towel tube. Hide it behind your back before the children come forward. A Bible marked at Matthew 2:9 helps the children see that the story comes from Scripture.

This talk fits the Epiphany of the Lord. In 2027 Epiphany falls on Wednesday, January 6, and many churches keep it on Sunday, January 3. The readings are Isaiah 60:1–6, Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14, Ephesians 3:1–12, and Matthew 2:1–12, the same in all three years of the Revised Common Lectionary. The talk also works on any Sunday when the story of the wise men is read.

The talk

(Invite the children to come forward and sit with you. Keep the star hidden behind your back.)

Good morning! I brought something special today, and it’s hiding behind my back. It’s something you can see in the sky at night. What do you think it is? (Let them guess. Then bring out the star.) A star!

Have you ever looked up at the stars at night? (Let them answer.) Long ago, before phones and maps, people used the stars to find their way. Sailors steered their boats by the stars. Travelers walked by starlight.

Today’s Bible story is about some travelers who followed a star. They were wise men from a country far away in the east. They studied the sky. One night they saw a brand-new star, and they said, “That star means a new king is born. Let’s go and find him!”

So they packed up their treasures and set out. They traveled a long, long way. (Move the star slowly through the air in front of the children.) They came to the big city of Jerusalem, and from there they went on to the little town of Bethlehem.

(Open the Bible to Matthew 2.) Listen to what the Bible says: “The star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it came and stood over where the young child was.”

(Hold the star still, high above your head.) The star stopped! When the wise men saw it stop, they were so happy they could hardly stand it. The Bible says they “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” That’s a lot of joy! Can you show me exceedingly great joy? (Let them cheer or wiggle.)

They went into the house and found the child Jesus with his mother, Mary. They knelt down and worshiped him, and they gave him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Here is something I love about this story. The wise men came from another country, far away. They didn’t know the stories of the Bible the way Mary and Joseph did. So God spoke to them in a way they understood. God used a star, because they knew all about stars.

Today is Epiphany. Epiphany is a word that means “showing.” On Epiphany we remember that God showed Jesus to people from every land. God’s love is for people near and far, for people from every country, and for you.

(Hold up the star.) And here is the best part. We can be like the star. When we are kind, when we welcome someone new, and when we share, we help other people find their way to God’s love.

A question to ask the children

Ask: “If you could bring a gift to Jesus, what would you bring?”

Children may name toys, drawings, hugs, songs, or a favorite snack. Receive every answer with delight, and then say: “The wise men brought their very best. Jesus is glad for any gift we bring with love, and the best gift of all is ourselves.”

If you have more time, ask a second question: “How could you help someone new feel welcome this week?” Children might say they could sit next to a new friend, share a toy, or say hello.

Closing prayer

Ask the children to repeat each line after you.

Dear God,
thank you for the star
that led the wise men to Jesus.
Help us shine your light
for everyone.
Amen.