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.
—Luke 2:7
As we journey closer to December 25, it amazes me how commercial this time of year has become. People hurry through the malls, stores, and streets trying to find a gift for the ones they love. Sadly enough, society seemingly has forgotten—or pushed to the back of their minds—what this season is all about. I ask, do you know what is in these swaddling clothes?
In these swaddling clothes lie Adam’s breath; Eve’s rib; Abel’s vindication; Noah’s grace, ark, flood, altar, and rainbow; Abram’s promise, covenant, and seed. Sarah’s laughter; Lot’s delivering angel; Isaac’s ram; Jacob’s blessing, ladder, name change, and twelve sons. Joseph’s coat of many colors, escape from the pit, and ability to interpret dreams. Joseph’s rise to power, and the deliverance of Egypt and Israel from famine. Moses’s basket and bulrush in the river. The compassion of Pharaoh’s daughter, the burning bush, Moses’s staff, and Aaron’s rod. Egypt’s plagues and death angel, and Israel’s Passover lamb.
The mana from Heaven, cloud by day and fire by night, tabernacle, laver of water, shewbread, candlestick, altar of incense, Ark of the Covenant, mercy seat and the blood applied, and cloud over the mercy seat. Rahab’s thread; Esther’s acceptance; Ruth’s handfuls of purpose; Elijah’s altar, sacrifice, water, fire, miracles, chariot, and mantle. Jezebel’s judgment; Elisha’s double portion; Samson’s strength; David’s anointing. Nebuchadnezzar’s humility; and Belshazzar’s hand of judgement.
Isaiah’s child and given son; Jeremiah’s tears; Lamentation’s reconciliation; Ezekiel’s four winds; Daniel’s deliverance; Hosea’s love; Joel’s revival; Amos’s sovereign Lord; Obadiah’s only repairer; Jonah’s fish; Micah’s ruler from everlasting. Nahum’s revenge; Habakkuk’s possessor of dwelling places; Zephaniah’s consumer and prepared sacrifice. Haggai’s glory of the latter house; Zachariah’s coming king; Malachi’s Lord’s temple sought for.
Our prayer for you this week: May you take another look at what and who is in these swaddling clothes, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.