“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
… the town of David: Bethlehem. The hills around Bethlehem were home to thousands of lambs used as daily sacrifice in the temple – therefore, Bethlehem was known for its sacrificial lambs.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem: He is the Lamb of God.
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12
… a baby wrapped in clothes – swaddling clothes. Swaddling clothes were gaze-like stripes of linen. When newborn lambs intended for sacrifice were born, they were wrapped in swaddling clothes to protect them from harm or injury and so that they might be presented without spot or blemish.
Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes: He is the Lamb of God
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12
… laying in a manger. Sacrificial lambs were kept in a ceremonially clean place until they were inspected for sacrifice. By placing them in a manger, they were kept from thrashing about and injuring themselves, therefore maintaining their perfect birth.
Jesus was placed in a manger: He is The Lamb of God.
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19
Only God could write a story so grand, so perfect to prophecy. Jesus came, Bethlehem born – wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger – to be our sacrificial lamb.
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Leave a Reply