Luke 2:6-7 – December 21, 2019

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 NABRE     

Joseph and Mary travel to participate in a census which was required by the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. The census requires people return to their town of origin, Bethlehem is the city of David, Joseph’s hereditary relative. It is likely there were relatives of Joseph who lived in Bethlehem and he would have sought them out for a place to stay, hoping they had guest quarters. Of course because the requirement of the census, Bethlehem would have been over flowing with visitors who were there to be counted. Joseph found no guest room available so the night quarters for the animals was offered. It could have been as simple as a cave that the house was built in front of or a separate building attached to the house. Mary gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him a manger. The clothes would have been strips of cloth that kept the baby warm but allowed free movement, the manger would be the feeding trough for the animals. These details are provided to demonstrate the humble beginnings of baby Jesus. The idea He might have been born in a cave, and that He was wrapped in cloth could also foreshadow the cave He laid in after his death, wrapped in a burial cloth, waiting to return to life.

God is born into these humble beginnings, vulnerable and dependent on the parents He selected for Himself. Although the Romans would put Jesus to death, their ruling brought peace and stability to the region, it was the right time for the Savior to be born. 

Does God show complete trust of people being born in this manner? Who could believe this baby is the Messiah?

The idea Jesus might have been born in a cave, and that He was wrapped in cloth could foreshadow the cave He laid in after his death, wrapped in a burial cloth, waiting to return to life. Click To Tweet

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