Swaddling Clothes just another proof!

King James Version (Luke 2)

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14  Glory to God in the highest,

Luke 2:8

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Levitical shepherds keeping watch over the sheep for the temple sacrifice. Lamb Had to be perfect, without spot! No imperfections. No blemishes; A First born lamb.

All the lambs for sacrifice were born in the spring. So the shepherds are watching over the sheep watching to see if any of the sheep give birth to a lamb.

The passover feast is one of 4 feast celebrated in the spring of the year.Passover, unleavened bread , First fruits, and Pentecost.

King James Version Lev. 23:4-5

4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.

5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’s passover

Nissan - February or March

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14  Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace,Good will toward men.

A sign - a pointer to the lamb of God! John the baptist said;

Behold the Lamb of god which taketh away the sins of the world!

a signal - Like a street signal that if you see it red it means stop or green go!

Or a signature Like signing a document! God signed off on the birth of Jesus Christ!

Gods signature was He would be wrapped in swaddling cloths.

You have to understand that being levitical priest's and shepherds they understood the significance of the swaddling clothes.

Made of the priests garments the ephod after being used would become stained with blood and the priests would tear these robes in strips to use as wicks for the menorah. Jesus told his disciples that he is the light of the world! These strips were known as swaddling cloths.

Because they not only used them for the menorah but also they would wrap up the baby lambs with these cloths to protect them from bruising or hurting themselves. So this is the sign that God gives to the Levitical priest’s when Jesus was born!

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

So where did Mary and Joseph get these swaddling clothe’s?

Well if we go back to the first chapter we find that Mary after talking with the angel of the lord what was going on Went to her

King James Version (Luke 1)

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

King James Version (Luke 1)

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

I believe that while Mary was with Elisabeth and Zacharias (who was a priest)They gave Mary some of his old ephods to made into swaddling cloths.

Therefore the shepherds that came looking for Jesus would have seen and recognised these cloths as priestly robes. Even at birth Jesus was arrayed in priestly garments. This was the proof that they had found the messiah Jesus, Creator, the King of Salvation.

As John his cousin recounts “The lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world!”