“And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:12
We need never wonder where we’ll find Him.
“And this shall be a sign unto you.”
You would have thought this “one-of-a-kind” Son of God would have been born on satin sheets in a palace with marble floors and columns, a bevy of servants attending to his every need, etc. He was/is the Son of the King of kings, wasn’t/isn’t He?
Assuredly He was/is.
Why, then, did He allow Himself to be born in a lowly cattle’s trough, covered with straw, in a stable most likely tucked away in a small cave? Why was there no entourage of government officials to greet Him. . .a parade for Him down through the streets of Bethlehem. . .an “Invitation Only” banquet for the “rich-and-famous” to welcome His arrival, etc.?
Simply because “And this shall be a sign unto you.”
At first glance it would seem this was given to help the poorly-paid shepherds find the Babe, Who would be “a Savior, which was Christ the Lord” (v.11). This “City of Bread,” which lay five miles south of Jerusalem at an elevation of around 2,550’, wasn’t a large city back then or now.
Thus, you’d think it wouldn’t be hard to find a crying newborn baby in the wee hours of the morning. And, most likely, the shepherds thought the further details (“a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger”) helped narrow their search even more—a sort of “signpost,” if you will.
Yet, even though very likely poorly educated, we must also surmise those frightened “hire-a-shepherds” wondered (like us) why such a long-awaited Special Guest would be born in such primitive conditions.
Simply because “And this shall be a sign unto you.”
The Apostle Paul picked up on this many years later when he wrote to the church in Philippi: “He (Jesus) made of Himself of no reputation and took upon Himself the form of a servant (Grk. ‘doulos’—a slave, bondman, one in subjection or servitude to another, etc.’). . .” (Phil. 2:7a). Simply put, this One Who created all that is and “upholds everything by the Word of His power” (Heb. 1:3b) CHOSE to humble Himself so the poorest of the poor would know He also knows them and their needs.
To those who’ve never had a reserved parking place or RSVP invitation to a fancy banquet, He understands. To those who’ve received a pink slip at work or were told to go to the back of the line, He says “Been there, done that.” To those who’ve never owned a house. . .or gotten a college education. . .and have no health or life insurance. . .He says “Just like Me.” Truly, His coming and manner of birth were “Signs of the Savior” and a reminder of how God’s condescending Love reaches down to the lowest levels of life to say “I came where you are so you could come to where I Am.”
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated December 28, 2009