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The One in the Manger

I wonder if you knew the following about the manger that Jesus was laid in. Of course, mangers are animal feeding troughs but in ancient Israel they were made of stone - not what you would see in a modern-day nativity scene.

Not comfortable, but great for protection. That’s why those who were experts in this matter, the priests, would put their newborn lambs in them for protection. But not just any lamb, the unblemished perfect lambs that were used in the sacrifice for sins. And Bethlehem, where Jesus was born was FAMOUS for their UNBLEMISHED LAMBS used for the sacrifice.

These lambs had to be perfect so they would wrap them tightly in cloth, called swaddling clothes, and lay them in a manger to keep them safe. This is exactly why the only time “mangers” are mentioned in Jesus’ birth story, it is being told to shepherds. In Luke 2 it says, “This will be a sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.”

These shepherds would have understood this powerful parallel because they were guarding sheep for temple sacrifice! They were not ordinary shepherds. They were Levites, priestly shepherds. Jesus was born just before Passover.

That's why those shepherds were out in their fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. They had to be ready to wrap up any new-born lamb at the moment it was born. They were watching their flocks! They would know what they saw actually meant. That’s why they shared what they saw…a sign from God!

THAT my friend, that Perfect Lamb, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, is WHY we celebrate Christmas!!




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