As we are embarking on the last week before Christmas, I have been thinking about baby Jesus. I want to take some time today to talk about the significance of a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Swaddling was an ancient practice of taking strips of cloth and swapping an infant or a wound of the body that was injured. I found this video of a Rabbi talking about the significance of swaddling, and he brought up some additional culture truths I hope you will enjoy hearing today. There is a little bit of a pitch to The Chosen series in it, for The Shepherd was his pilot before The Chosen was ever picked up as a show. This series is so powerful and really depicts a level of humanity that evokes emotions to the witness and with-ness of this kind hearted Jesus in the earth.
Rabbi Jason Sobel – The Significance of the Swaddling Clothes
Now back to story of swaddling.
I want to go back to the beginning. It give us an overall feeling of just how wide this swaddling or wrap-around love truly is.
The Birth of Jesus
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 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.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
-Luke 2:1-20, NIV
Nothing God does is random. It always has an intentional significance to those willing to find it. So, I did a little digging. This video shares more about the awe of what really happened that day.
Swaddling Clothes
It’s a story that is still impacting us today!!
Why did Jesus have to come as a baby?
I want to believe it’s because He wanted to start in the natural order of human form. He allowed Himself to show the progression of growth, even vulnerability. He lived all the growth stages until He hit the proper age for rabbinical training. At 30, He was finally a Rabbi, and that was the turning point for His mission, and His message really started to spread.
Life has a way of wanting us to skip to the good parts, but Jesus came as a babe, swaddled and wrapped, and it was said to be a sign.
What sign?
Maybe that is a question you can ask the Father about in your quiet time. He may just reveal another layer of His plan to our heart. ☺️
I believe, this babe was taken care of and right where He was suppose to be. All was planned since the beginning of time. Mary and Joseph may not have been privy to this part of the story, but the message of what happened traveled. Suffering seems to continue to show up as part of the Kingdom story. Have you noticed that? Yet, Mary treasured at all and pondered it in her heart.
Jesus was wrapped when He started, and He was wrapped at the end of His life as well. He was covered then, and He is covering us now.
There is a lie here on earth that we have to fight against—the lie that we are alone and/or we will be left (abandoned). It’s an orphan spirit. You never feel like you belong. I mean, Jesus’ real Dad was in heaven, but the Father felt Joseph was the perfect earthly father for Him, I do believe. He allowed for Him to experience family on this side of heaven. I believe His level of perspective and concern for us goes so much deeper, for He has experienced all things, and yet lived without sin.
Jesus came to get wrapped up, and He is wrapping us up now. The tightness of a swaddle is soothing for a baby and makes for an easier transition to rest. I think we could apply that here to us as well. The tightness you feel of His wrap-around presence, the more soothing your nervous system and soul feel, and hopefully that brings about a state of true REST which heals.
If you don’t have anyone to hold you this holiday season, take a moment to hug yourself and allow it to linger long enough for His wrap-around presence to come and invade your space.
If you have felt abandoned, rejected, or just down right lost in this season, email us at micahmendedheart@gmail.com. For our motto is to curate resources that are every day reminders that you are loved and never alone.
So, call us. Email us. We are here for you. Or, call a trusted friend to pray with you, but please don’t sit in those feelings for too long. Jesus is there to help you through it, but if it feels hard to connect with Jesus at the moment, come connect with us. We will help guide you back into His wrap-around arms. Amen and amen.
Until next time,
Keep gliding 🪁
Abiding 🙇🏼♀️
& Smiling 😁
#HisWraparoundPresence #MyMendedHeart #Inthesendingcomesthemending