Luke 2:1-14 (NRSV)
Read Luke 2:1-14 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. Verse 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Verse 3All went to their own towns to be registered. Verse 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. Verse 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. Verse 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. Verse 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Verse 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Verse 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Verse 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: Verse 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Verse 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." Verse 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Verse 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
Devotion
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:12)
The sign is—diapers? No, Jesus' swaddling clothes have served the church for centuries as a sign of the whole life of Christ from nativity to resurrection. This is especially clear in the Eastern Orthodox tradition of depicting the newly born Christ child as born in a cave and wrapped tightly in cloth bands. The similarity between the cave and the tomb as well as the similarity of the swaddling clothes with the cloth in which Jesus is wrapped following the crucifixion serves as a connecting link running through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Christmas is about more than the birth of our Lord. It is but the first step in that which leads to our salvation.
Prayer
On this holiest of nights, O Lord, keep me mindful of your passion and death. Amen.