The Sign: Swaddling Clothes and a Manger
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this is a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12).
“And he took the body down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid” (Luke 23:53).
Have you ever wondered where the term “swaddling” came from? The most famous record of swaddling is found in the Bible concerning the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Over the years, archeologists have excavated many wooden and stone replicas of babies wrapped in swaddling clothes. Dr. Warren Gage provides research that shows babies who died in infancy were wrapped in swaddling clothes and then placed in a stone-like coffin. Perhaps there was more to Jesus’ being laid in a manger than meets the eye—especially when you consider that the manger was most likely made of stone to hold water for the animals. Perhaps Jesus’ birth represented his future death—a baby that was born to die?
Nowadays swaddling has a much different context. Parents wrap their little babes in a garment or cloth to help them sleep. Although swaddling has gained in popularity in modern times, there has been much controversy over this practice. By the 16th century, Swiss surgeon Felix Wurtz was the first to castigate this practice, believing that parents and doctors were wrapping the baby so tight that this confinement was causing limbs to lose circulation, leading to deformities and serious damage to the bowels. Even today there is a split opinion upon swaddling infants. Some believe that this practice reduces SIDS, while others in the medical and psychological fields claim the practice causes harm.
After birth in ancient times, once the umbilical cord was cut and tied, the baby was washed in warm water, then rubbed with salt and oil, and then wrapped in strips of cloth—swaddling. The application of these strips of cloth not only kept the baby warm but also were thought to ensure that the limbs would grow straight without any deformity.
An unswaddled infant was considered abandoned. In Ezekiel 16:3-4, Israel is characterized as unswaddled:
“Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. And as for thy nativity, in the day thou was born thy navel was not cut, neither were you washed in water to supple thee; you were not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.”
Isn’t that interesting? Another practice of swaddling in the Old Testament was that of wrapping the sacrificial lamb in strips of cloth. They did this to ensure that their sacrificial lamb remained without blemish. I wonder what type of clothes Jesus was wearing on the day that John exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God”?
However, swaddling was only one of the two-part signs given by the angels. They would find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. I find it interesting that the book of Luke begins and ends with the wrapping of a body that is placed in a stone, tomb-like structure (Luke 2:12; 23:53). The way Jesus is born is reenacted in his death and burial. I know it’s difficult to get the idea out of our minds that the manager is this wooden, X-shaped structure filled with hay, but research leads me to believe that the manger was indeed made of stone. Certainly, a baby wrapped in Egyptian style burial cloths and placed in a stone trough/manger would be a sign—and an unusual sign it would be!
The question that begs to be asked is: Why? Why this twofold sign? We find the answer in the next two verses in Luke:
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The angels knew who Jesus was! He was God, and they were praising him with the highest glory in the humblest setting, with lowly shepherds welcoming him. The swaddling clothes and the lowly manger is the great paradox of God’s revelation of himself. He is both exalted above the heavens but can be found among the poorest of his people. He is clothed in glorious light and majesty yet also wrapped in humble strips of cloth. God chose to reveal himself to mankind from two perspectives: as the powerful, glorious God and an innocent, humble baby.
And that is how God will be most revealed today; not in lavish Christmas celebrations (though there is certainly nothing wrong with merriment and great food with family and friends) but in humility, simplicity, and love. He receives the most glory when we live out the childlike character traits that represent his Kingdom. Isn’t it interesting that the shepherds who had very little to give were the chosen ones to first receive the news of our Savior?
“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
The world will take notice when they see the signs of genuine humility wrapped in unexpected gifts of sacrifice this season. God sent his Son 2000 years ago to reveal Himself to mankind. He is now sending us with the same mission and same spirit of humility, sacrifice, and love.
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading:
Candle in the Window book/audio drama (Ages 6-11)
The Unlikely Wise Man audio drama (All Ages)
The Wanderer - a story about a prodigal who comes home for Christmas (Ages 9-14)
