The Lowly Birth of Christ

The angels on the night of Christ’s birth left heaven and appeared in dazzling glory to the shepherds, who were watching their flocks by night. The angel of the Lord delivered the comforting message to these lowly men: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

To give certainty of this newborn babe, the angel went on to tell them how they would identify the Christ-child: “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). Swaddling clothes were strips of cloth used to wrap babies for warmth and security. Jesus was cared for in the same fashion as other babies. He would also be lying in a manger, a trough used for feeding animals. Imagine the King of kings lying in a manger!

This is the sign: swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. No halos over Jesus’ head, no purple and fine linen, no royal pageantry—simply a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. God was clear, and Jesus couldn’t be mistaken for another.

The crude conditions, the outcast reception, the humble beginnings—Jesus lived the harshest, humblest life when He came into this world. He did it for you and me, willingly, in His love and meekness and humility. He knows your troubles. He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Jesus cares.