They gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh; special gifts that were only given to kings. Frankincense was a rare, sweet-smelling perfume and myrrh was anointing oil. The wise men knew that Jesus was a special baby. They knew that God himself had sent this baby to be born in Bethlehem. He had chosen him to become his people’s Lord and King. That night God spoke to the wise men in a dream. He told them not to go back to Herod, because Herod wanted to harm Jesus. So they returned to their own country a different way. Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream. He told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Joseph and his family left the next day. They lived in Egypt until King Herod died. Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph again. He told him he could go back to the land of Israel. Joseph and his family didn’t go back to Bethlehem. They lived in Nazareth, a small village in Galilee far away from Jerusalem. In this way, God kept Jesus and his family safe from harm. Matthew 2
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