BIRTH IN BETHLEHEM

“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:6-7 NKJV).

In simple, direct language, Luke presented the Christmas story - no trees or lights, just a manger and animals and a too-crowded inn. It is not surprising that there was no room for them in the inn considering the number of travelers flocking to various cities because of the census.

Further, the journey to Bethlehem was necessary to fulfill Messianic prophecy (2:4; Micah 5:2). At some time during their visit in Bethlehem, the promised child was born. Mary wrapped the baby in strips of cloth, which were bands of cloth that were used to keep a baby warm and give it a sense of security. These cloths were believed to protect its internal organs. This custom of wrapping infants is still practiced in many Mideastern countries. Then Mary laid him in a manger, an animal’s feeding trough.

It is also important to note that Bethlehem means “house of bread,” the ideal birthplace for the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Its rich historic heritage includes the death of Rachel and the birth of Benjamin (Gen. 35:16-20; the marriage of Ruth, and the exploits of David. It is worth noting too that the name Benjamin means “son of my right hand,” and the name David means “beloved.” Both of these names apply to our Lord, for He is the Beloved Son (Luke 3:22) at God’s right hand (Ps. 110:1).

The first advent of the Lord Jesus Christ was one of humility - the surroundings of His birth pointed to obscurity, poverty, and even rejection. However, when the Lord comes back to earth a second time, it will be “with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30). The irony of the most important event in history taking place in a manger should not be lost sight of; it reveals how God elevates the lowly and humble and rejects the proud and mighty of this world. Instead of coming to earth as a pampered, privileged ruler, the Lord Jesus was born in meekness, as one of us. He is approachable, accessible, and available - no palace gates bar the way to Him; no ring of guards prevents our approach. The King of kings came humbly, and His first bed was a manger.

(Adapted from Bible Exposition Commentary)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“God did not send Christ to us; God came to us in Christ!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Swaddling

In Luke 2:7 we read, “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (NKJV).

Swaddling is the Greek word sparganoō (σπαργανόω = spar-gan-o'-o). The word means to wrap in swaddling clothes. Swaddling clothes were narrow strips of cloth and bands used in the practice of swaddling, or essentially wrapping an infant tightly in cloth.

In Classical Greek, sparganoō means wrapping cloths or bands, i.e. strips of cloth like bandages, wrapped around young infants to keep their limbs straight. In the Septuagint the word occurs just twice, both times metaphorically. In Eze. 16:4 wicked Jerusalem is compared to a newborn; uncared for, cast out, not wrapped in swaddling clothes. In Job 38:9 the Lord speaks of His creation of the sea as though it were a newborn which He wrapped in the swaddling clothes of the mist. In the New Testament sparganoō appears only in Luke 2:7, 12 referring to the newborn Jesus whom Mary wrapped in swaddling cloths.

The idea behind swaddling is that it helps the baby transition from the womb (a very snug place) to the outside world. Swaddling clothes are still used today, but with some modifications. In general, swaddling has been proved to help infants sleep better, to prevent them from scratching themselves, and to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In ancient times, like today, a swaddled infant carries the unspoken implication that the baby thus treated was loved and properly cared for. Many cultures still practice swaddling today.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – The Messiah’s birth would trigger a slaughter of children (Jer. 31:5)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 2:16-18.

Bible Facts

Circumcision on the eighth day is ideal (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3). Medical science has discovered that the blood clotting chemical prothrombin peaks in a newborn on the eighth day. This is therefore the safest day to circumcise a baby. Interestingly enough, the Lord Jesus Himself was circumcised on the eight day (Luke 2:21). How did Moses know?

Bible Quiz

What are the meanings of the names Jesus and Emmanuel?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to the Law, what insects were edible? Locusts (Lev. 11:22)

That’s in the Bible

"Crown of glory”

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4 NKJV).

“Crown of glory” - The expression “crown of glory” refers to an outstanding accomplishment. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who died for the sheep (John 10:11), the Great Shepherd who lives for the sheep (Heb. 13:20-21), and the Chief Shepherd who comes for the sheep (1 Peter 5:4).

As the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus alone can assess a believer’s work and give him the proper reward. Some who appear to be first may end up last when the Lord examines each person’s work. Also, unlike the Greek crowns that were made of oak or ivy leaves and which faded, believers will receive a crown of “glory that does fade away.” This is a proper motivation for service in the face of suffering and temptation.

Stories of Favorite Christmas Carols

O Little Town of Bethlehem

The writer of this carol was the influential American theologian of the 19th Century, Bishop Phillips Brooks. Bishop Brooks wrote the beautiful words that we all know in 1868 in Philadelphia as he recalled a trip he had made to the Holy Land several years earlier. He gave a copy of the words to his organist, Lewis Redner, and requested him to compose a melody that would be easy for the children to sing. On the evening just before the program, Redner awakened suddenly from sleep with the present melody in his mind - he quickly wrote it out. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” has been a favorite with children and adults around the world since that time.

A Little Humor

Admiring the Christmas trees displayed in his neighbor’s windows, Nathan asks his father, “Daddy, can we have a Hanukkah Tree?” “What? No, of course not.” says his father. “Why not?” asks Nathan again? Bewildered, his father replies, “Well, Nathan, because the last time we had dealings with a lighted bush we spent 40 years in the wilderness.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“God’s gift to a dying world is the life-giving Savior!”