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A CRADLE MADE FOR ROYALTY

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12/05/2009 / Devotionals

Luke 2:6
And Mary, 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.

Luke 2:12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:15-16
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 Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

I've often heard of women not making it in time to a hospital. Even a well prepared home birth can be messed up if the expecting mother is caught across town in the supermarket. Taxi births are common, so are babies born in elevators. But what would be more degrading for a mother in the "modern" world than to give birth in a tiny barn full of smelly animals?

It's true that the birth itself is often quickly forgotten when the joy of holding your newborn baby in your arms follows. Your baby is the most beautiful princess, or little prince, you have ever laid eyes on. It's then time to show your precious new family member the nursery that you have so lovingly put together during the months of waiting. The cradle that took you forever to choose is almost fit for royalty, and don't forget the bunny rugs.

But hold on a moment. I don't remember reading that part in the Christmas story. The shepherds found the babe lying in a manger. A manger is kept in stable! It's use as the feeding trough for donkeys and milking cows! There would probably even be hens and a goat or two sharing the small space around the manger. Here is where the King of the Jews was sleeping? And, sitting close by with watchful eyes, were Mary and Joseph; a humble pair who had traveled many miles to find no room in the inn.

Quote: "The term swaddling clothes is based on a 2,000 year old Middle Eastern culture. They developed a way to deal with in-journey deaths. Each person would take a long, thin, gauze-like cloth and wrap it around their waist many times. This would be one of the bottom layers of clothing. This cloth would be reserved for death. If someone died during the journey, their friends or family would remove the "swaddling cloth" and wrap them from head to toe so they could complete the journey. Baby Jesus was wrapped in Joseph's death cloththe unusual sign the angels would have referred to. www.wiki.answers.com

So what is the relevance of the Jesus being wrapped in a death cloth? John 9:38 says "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."

This cradle was made for royalty. Jesus was born in a manger because He was, and is, and will always be "Lord of Lords and King of Kings".

This same Jesus was found by the shepherds wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a mangera cradle made for royalty.

Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the King James Version of the Bible

Chrissy Siggee is the author of 'Glimpses of His Glory', a collection of her poetry, devotions, pencil illustrations and nature photos. - SORRY - SOLD OUT!
Chrissy is also the author of the teen novel 'Out of the Shadows - Jenna's Secret.' http://chrissysiggee.com/shadows/

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