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Luke 2:22
Power Point:
At this time of
year we are very familiar with the manger scene. As I was reading through the Christmas story in the book of Luke, something caught my
attention. Why was it significant to
note that the baby would be wrapped in swaddling clothes? After a little searching, I was surprised to find out just how important that was!
In a little book from
the 1800's by Lydia M. Von Finkelstein Mountford, I gained an understanding of
why Jesus's swaddling was critical to the moment. I would like to paraphrase a part of her book
for you. In the Jewish culture of that day, WHAT they WORE was evidence of WHO
they WERE. Jesus's swaddling clothes
came from Mary's own garments and they spoke volumes to those who came to see
Him.
"First-Mary was a
princess of the House of David, and she was a virgin; And so, as a sign of her
virginity and her royalty-her garment would have been blue. The Princes of the House of David all wore
garments of different cloths. Mary's
would be of a beautiful royal blue, all woven with gold. She is a
Mary would have to
have had a white garment over her head. This
garment identifies her as a virgin of the Lord.
Mary is now to become a mother.
She removes the outer garment of white silk and must throw it over the
manger. The Shepherds have to find
all these things. Another garment is added. This garment is white, striped
with blue; that shows that this is a royal child. Blue is the sign of royal blood. That is where you get the expression,
"blue blood". Part of this
swaddling garment would hang over the other garment. Now the genealogy of this child is to be
reckoned with.
Besides the royal
house, He comes from the house of Boaz and Ruth, and they must bring the signs
of the mother's family. So a red
garment would be added from the land of Moab and would show that the blood of the land of Moab flowed
through His veins."
The Shepherds were
told to look for a sign. The miracle
sign was "a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger." The Swaddling Clothes were the children's clothing for the first
year of their lives. If there had been no swaddling then it would appear that
God had not covered this child; that it had been abandoned.
On that special night,
in that manger, lay a royal baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes to identify
His genealogy, and to protect Him.
It was a definite sign from God that He was restoring His swaddling to the
nation of Israel, and in fact, to the whole world. No longer were they abandoned and without
care. The Prince of Peace had come. The
Kingdom of God had come. The Savior had come.
There was no need for anyone to ever feel abandoned again. The robes that
swaddled the Baby Jesus are the same robes that are available to you.
Will you accept
them? Will you be swaddled in His
love? Will you accept His provision for
you today of love, joy, peace, faith, and an intimate personal relationship
with Him.?
Perhaps you've already
accepted the provision of Jesus. Will
you move forward with Him in the coming year?
Will you ask Him to help you to understand the "riches of the glory
of your inheritance? Will you accept and
receive His Christmas present to you
Will you make this a Christmas full of Presence?
Power Thought:
Joy to the world! The Lord has come! Let us receive our King!
May this Christmas be
the genesis of a new understanding of every detail of that manger filled with
The Word of God just for you. And may it
be a time of decision to move forward into the New Year as a child of God,
cared for, swaddled, and not abandoned. Let your life be evidence of WHO you are.
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