---

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, thank you for helping me through 2013; please keep me safe in 2014! Amen.

After Jesus was born, wise men came to Jerusalem from the East. They asked King Herod, "Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star and came to worship Him." Worried about this "new king," Herod said, "When you find Him, tell me." The wise men found Jesus with His parents and gave Him gifts, but they were warned in a dream not to tell Herod,so they went back to their own country.

New Year's Day is a time when a lot of people look back over the past year. Everyone has had good times and bad, but most people end up saying, "Thank you, God, for getting us through this year safely."

Just getting through a hard time safely is enough to make you feel good. This week's Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12) is about one of those times.

Jesus has just been born - in a barn - and now Herod hears the wise men call Jesus "the newborn King of the Jews" and worries that Jesus will grow up to try and be king. Herod decides he'd better get rid of Jesus, so he tells the wise men to go find Jesus and report back.

Poor Mary and Joseph! They've already had a hard time, and now Herod wants to hurt their new baby. Safety is probably the first thing on their minds. Jesus has had a rough start to His life, so they want to keep Him safe from now on.

When you're looking back at the past year, you usually feel grateful for the people who helped you through the bad times. Going through struggles alone makes them harder. For Mary, Joseph and Jesus, it was a good thing the wise men said, "We've got your back. We won't tell Herod where you are." All those adults together helped keep Jesus safe.

Every new year brings good times and bad - so there will also be opportunities to thank God again for getting you through and keeping you safe. That's a prayer that doesn't have to wait for New Year's Day![[In-content Ad]]

---