Both Mary and Joseph were of the house and lineage of David so they both had to go to Bethlehem, the City of David to enroll in the census. “And while they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7).
The shepherds in Bethlehem were of the priestly order, so many of the lambs born under their care were sacrificial lambs (one-year-old perfect male lambs). At birth they wrapped the baby lambs in swaddling cloths, which were from the temple–old priestly garments cut for this purpose. Then the lambs were laid in a manger, which was made out of stone, not wood, and protected the little lambs.
THINK ABOUT IT
Jesus, the Lamb of God, was wrapped in swaddling cloths, strips of priestly garments, and laid in a stone manger. God protected Him at birth. And when Herod ordered the death of baby boys under the age of two, God also protected Him when He told Mary and Joseph to go to Egypt until after the death of Herod. Jesus is our High Priest and has been since He left Heaven and came to earth as a baby. The Son of God humbled Himself to be born as a baby. He grew in stature and maturity and knew the sin and circumstances we face. That is why He can be our compassionate advocate to the Father, merciful and forgiving. He promised He would always be with us, never to leave or forsake us. What comfort that is to a dark and dying world!
PRAY ABOUT IT
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Son, born as a baby and a Priest, Savior and King. Help us to believe things we cannot understand and help us to become more like Jesus. In His great name, we pray, Amen.
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