Helping Children and Young People Discover Christ the King

Matthew Chapter 2 contains some of the best-known stories in the Bible.

Children quickly become fascinated by:

• the Wise Men

• the bright star

• the gifts

• King Herod

• the journey into Egypt.

Yet beneath these familiar stories are profound truths about Jesus Christ, the Church and the Christian life.

The task of parents and catechists is not simply to help children remember the story.

It is to help them meet the Saviour revealed within it.

Every lesson should ultimately lead children to know, love and worship Jesus Christ.

---

1. The Most Important Truth to Teach

If children remember only one thing from Matthew Chapter 2, let it be this:

Jesus is the true King whom everyone is invited to worship.

Everything else flows from this.

The Wise Men travelled a long way because Jesus was worth seeking.

The Church still teaches that nothing is more important than knowing Him.

---

2. Explaining the Wise Men

Children naturally enjoy the story of the Wise Men.

Explain that they were learned men from distant countries who believed God had given them a special sign.

They travelled a long distance because they wanted to find the promised King.

The important lesson is not simply that they travelled.

It is why they travelled.

They believed Jesus was worth every sacrifice.

Ask children:

• What would you travel a long way to see?

• Why was Jesus worth such a journey?

• What sacrifices can we make to stay close to Him?

Help them understand that following Jesus sometimes requires effort, patience and perseverance.

---

3. Explaining the Star

Children often imagine the star as simply a beautiful light in the sky.

Help them understand something deeper.

The star was God’s way of guiding the Magi.

Today God also guides us.

He guides us through:

• the Bible

• the Church

• prayer

• our parents

• good priests and teachers

• the Holy Spirit working in our hearts.

Ask:

“How does God help us know the right path today?”

---

4. Explaining the Gifts

The gifts are easy for children to remember.

Help them understand their meaning.

Gold reminds us that Jesus is our King.

Frankincense reminds us that Jesus is God.

Myrrh reminds us that Jesus came to save us through His suffering and death.

Then ask:

“What gift can you give Jesus?”

Children often answer:

• kindness

• prayer

• helping at home

• being truthful

• sharing with others.

Help them see that Jesus still delights in receiving gifts of love.

---

5. Teaching Children About Worship

One of the most important lessons in Matthew Chapter 2 is that the Wise Men worship Jesus.

Explain the difference between:

loving someone,

respecting someone,

and worshipping God.

Children should learn from an early age that:

• we love our family

• we honour the saints

• we respect others

• but we worship God alone.

This helps prevent confusion later in life.

---

6. Helping Children Love the Mass

Explain that every Sunday we make the same journey as the Wise Men.

We come to church.

We find Jesus.

We kneel before Him.

We worship Him.

We receive His blessing.

Older children can also begin to understand that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.

The same Lord adored by the Wise Men is the Lord we adore at Mass.

This helps children connect the Gospel with the Church’s worship.

---

7. Teaching About Saint Joseph

Matthew Chapter 2 shows Joseph constantly protecting Jesus and Mary.

Help children see that Joseph teaches us:

• courage

• obedience

• hard work

• listening to God

• protecting others.

Especially encourage boys to look to Saint Joseph as a model of Christian manhood.

He is strong without being harsh.

Quiet without being weak.

Obedient without complaining.

---

8. Explaining Herod

Children often ask:

“Why was Herod so bad?”

Keep the answer simple.

Explain that Herod loved power more than he loved God.

Instead of welcoming Jesus, he wanted everything to remain under his own control.

Then gently apply the lesson.

Sometimes we also want our own way instead of God’s way.

Whenever we refuse to obey God, we begin to act a little like Herod.

Whenever we choose God’s way instead of our own, we become more like Saint Joseph.

---

9. Speaking About the Holy Innocents

This part of the chapter should be approached with sensitivity.

Young children do not need every detail.

Instead explain:

There were children who suffered because of Herod’s cruelty.

The Church remembers them because Jesus loves every child.

They are now safe with God forever.

For older children and teenagers, this passage can become an opportunity to discuss:

• the dignity of every human life

• kindness

• protecting others

• standing against injustice

• praying for those who suffer.

---

10. Explaining Egypt

Children often wonder why Jesus had to leave His home.

Explain simply.

God kept the Holy Family safe.

Even though the journey was difficult, God stayed with them.

This teaches us that difficult times do not mean God has abandoned us.

He continues to guide us even when life changes unexpectedly.

---

11. Nazareth and Ordinary Life

Many children think holiness only happens in miracles.

Matthew Chapter 2 teaches something different.

Jesus spent most of His childhood living an ordinary life.

He obeyed.

He helped.

He learned.

He worked.

This teaches children that they become holy through ordinary things:

• helping at home

• obeying parents

• praying daily

• telling the truth

• being kind

• working hard at school.

Holiness begins in ordinary life.

---

12. Discussion Questions

Parents and catechists might ask:

• Why did the Wise Men travel so far?

• Why did they worship Jesus?

• What gift would you like to give Jesus?

• Why was Saint Joseph such a good father?

• What does it mean to trust God?

• Why is Jesus the true King?

• How can our family become more like the Holy Family?

Allow children to answer freely before gently guiding them towards the Catholic understanding.

---

13. Family Activities

Families could:

• read Matthew Chapter 2 together during the Christmas season.

• place the figures of the Wise Men at a distance from the crib and move them gradually towards Jesus during the days before Epiphany.

• pray for people throughout the world who are still searching for Christ.

• make simple paper crowns to remind children that Jesus is the King of Kings.

• discuss one gift each family member can offer Jesus during the coming week.

• spend a few minutes in silent prayer before the crib or before the Blessed Sacrament.

These simple activities help children see that the Gospel is something to be lived, not merely remembered.

---

Advice for Parents and Catechists

Do not worry if children cannot understand every detail.

Teach them the great truths repeatedly.

Children remember what is repeated with love.

Help them always to see that Matthew Chapter 2 is not simply about people who lived long ago.

It is about us.

Every Christian is called to become like the Wise Men:

to seek Christ,

to worship Christ,

to offer Christ our best,

and then to return home changed by meeting Him.

---

Prayer for Parents and Catechists

Lord Jesus Christ,

who didst reveal Thyself to the Wise Men,
protect the Holy Family,
and sanctify the hidden life of Nazareth,

bless all parents,
grandparents,
teachers
and catechists.

Grant them wisdom as they hand on the Catholic faith,
patience when children ask difficult questions,
and joy in leading young hearts to Thee.

May every Catholic home become another Nazareth,
filled with prayer,
charity,
forgiveness
and peace.

And may every child grow in wisdom,
in grace,
and in love for Thee,
who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Amen.