This past Sunday I talked to my mother on the phone as she and her husband are wintering in a warmer place than Indiana.  She shared with me some things that the Pastor of the Church she attends there had pointed out that morning.

First off he shared that he did not know where the idea that Mary was riding a donkey on their journey to Bethlehem came from; but, he did not believe that was true.  He said, “If I were pregnant I would not want to ride on a donkey.”  Not to mention that Joseph and Mary were poor people.  They probably could not afford to purchase a donkey.  I agree with this Preacher.

Secondly, he pointed out that first off he had been to the holy land eleven times.  He said that because of the sacrificial system of that time the shepherds would pay close attention to their sheep.  When a lamb was born without spot or blemish the shepherd would take the lamb and “swaddle” it and lay it “in a manger” to protect it for the sacrifice.

Yet another piece of the puzzle of the birth of Christ.  Look at Luke 2:12, “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”  Jesus Christ is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.  Mary would wrap the Babe in grave clothes or strips of cloth.  Each little finger and toe would be wrapped and then then up the arm or foot and leg.  Then the torso and so on until the Babe of Bethlehem was swaddled.  Then Mary like a shepherd laid the child Jesus in a manger.  When the shepherds arrived they knew Who they were seeing.  The sights pointed them forward to the cross.  They knew they were in the presence of Messiah.  I have to echo the praise the the angels, “Glory to God in the highest!”  Oh, what a Saviour!  As the writer penned, “He came from Heaven to earth to show the way…”.  Will you trust Him as your Saviour today?  He came for you.

So, how are you doing?