1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Micah 5:2 says, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." At just the right time, travel plans were made to journey to the town of David, Bethlehem, so that Joseph and Mary could register for the census. Just so happens while they were there...away from home...the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped Him in cloths, more commonly referred to as swaddling clothes or swaddling bands, and she placed Him in a manger. Swaddling was and is a widespread practice around the globe with newborn babies. To swaddle is to wrap the baby tightly, and in ancient days the baby would look almost mummy-like.
Ezekiel offers an interesting comparison with the use of this term. In chapter 16, Jerusalem (referring to God's people Israel) is being rebuked for sin. The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel and he said, "On the day you (my people) were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths (swaddled with bands, AMP). No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised."
In this passage the absence of swaddling bands signifies an abandoned infant. The passage goes on to say, "Then I passed by...I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine (Ezekiel 16:4-5, 6a, 8).
Jesus, from the moment of His birth was wrapped in heaven's garment. He was not abandoned by His Father. Further down in Luke, chapter 2 the KJV says, "this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." The sign was that this baby was heaven sent! God spread the corner of His garment over the Christ child signifying He is MINE!
"She (Mary, God's instrument) wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7)."
This Christmas, LORD, may we make room for You in our hearts and lives. But I praise You, Lord Jesus, that no room could contain You!!
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