Swaddling Clothes

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).

You know that one, right? I mean, who doesn't? I'd bet that if you gave that quote to a large segment of secular America they'd be able to tell you the subject at hand. It's the birth of Christ. We all know about Joseph's trip to Bethlehem for the census, his pregnant wife-to-be going along with him. We all know that when they got there she was ready to give birth, but they couldn't find a place to stay. We all know that they ended up in a stable. It's likely that someone in your neighborhood has a decoration up somewhere that shows the little baby in a manger. Very common story. But ... did you ever think about the swaddling clothes? What is the significance of that?

Swaddling clothes were the garb of infants of the day. New parents would take a blanket and wrap the baby from feet to neck in it with some sort of binding strips to tie it on. It would keep the baby warm and safe and dry. In fact, Ezekiel 16:4 references the lack of swaddling clothes as an indication of being abandoned. And, of course, this swaddling concept isn't merely an ancient practice. It's practiced, nay, recommended today. Studies suggest that the practice can decrease the number of SIDS in infants. At least it seems to improve your little one's sleep.

Yeah, yeah, all good info, but what's the point? The point is that Jesus, the Son of God, God Incarnate, was swaddled. The point is that Jesus needed to be kept dry and warm. He needed to be diapered and fed and kept safe. He needed to be cleaned after He soiled Himself and he needed to be dressed. I know, I know, perhaps it sounds odd, even boring, but doesn't it strike you as somewhat amazing that the One who was God in the flesh had exactly the same humanity as you or I? I don't know. I was reading about this swaddling thing and it struck me because we tend to think of Jesus -- God With Us -- as somehow above all that. He didn't poop His diaper. He didn't make a mess when He was being fed. He didn't fall and skin His knee as a little boy. He wasn't ... human. And, of course, that's not true. As obscure as it might seem, the swaddling clothes tell a story of a very human being that housed a very Divine God, "one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." At this time of year I find that to be a truly awesome thought.