Read:

Luke 2:4-7, 12 (NKJV), “So Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn…And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Think:

Think back to the night when Jesus was born. Mary wrapped the Savior of the world, not in a monogrammed blanket, but in strips of cloth. She placed him in a feeding trough, and then the shepherds arrived. But these weren’t ordinary shepherds; these were shepherds who knew about swaddling cloths! Swaddling was a common practice for Jewish mothers and the shepherds practiced it with their lambs because it kept the limbs straight and gave security.

Why were they so meticulous? These shepherds raised the sacrificial, spotless lambs for temple sacrifices. Then they led these pure lambs from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to be sacrificed for sins.

Just like the lambs who paid for the Jewish people’s sins, this baby was born to die. But Jesus’ was the final sacrifice. He paid it once and for all.

We find one last swaddle at His grave. After Jesus died on the cross they wrapped His body in linen cloths (Luke 24:12), but He didn't stay wrapped! His crucified body didn’t stay dead. It all began in Bethlehem, in the whisper and quietness of a manger, in the details of the swaddling. He came as the lamb to pay the price. And He rose again as the Savior of the world!

Act:

Today I will praise Him for the price He paid for me. Challenge yourself today to tell one person about Jesus this week.

Pray:

God, thank You for loving me so much that You gave up Your only Son to die. Amen.