We all remember the shepherds in the field as we recount the Christmas story:
And there were shepherds living out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
—(Luke 2:8-12 NIV)
These shepherds were no ordinary shepherds. They were extraordinary shepherds, called Levitical Shepherds who were raising lambs and cared for them, having to choose the little lambs that would be used for temple sacrifice, which had to be without spot or blemish. The newborn lamb was immediately wrapped in clean swaddling cloths to protect them from danger and keep them from being blemished.
The sign given to the Shepherds was that the swaddling would have been an important connection point for the shepherds. Signs often serve as a connection point to lead us to revelation and Truth.
A baby born in the same place that the Passover lambs were born, swaddled like a Passover lamb, pointing to the fact that Messiah was the Lamb of God who would take over the sins of the world.
Within this significant event contained a sign! Signs and wonders will follow those who believe. Today, God is still using signs to point us to Him.
The shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that happened, which the Lord has told us about. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
—(Luke 2: 15, 17 NIV)
What we see and experience, in the things of God, will be used to spread His amazing grace and love! Who would have thought that a cloth that was wrapped around the baby Jesus would have been used as a sign?
The Lord wraps Himself in light as with a garment…”
—(Psalm 104: 2 NIV)
I wonder if the Shepherds saw the same light on Jesus as they saw in the fields? God’s first creative word called forth light in the midst of the darkness.
And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.”
—(Genesis 1:3 NIV)
As a believer in Yeshua, (Jesus), you are wrapped in that glory! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are “not wrapped too tight.” Remind them, you are!
Featured Image by Steve Sharp on Unsplash
