Swaddling clothes were strips of cloth wrapped around the baby’s arms and legs, an oriental custom. It’s been said that this was done in case the baby died on a long journey, the body would be wrapped for burial. It’s also been said that the swaddling strips kept the baby’s arms and leg straight. In this culture, it was considered abuse not to wrap the baby in this manner. The Shepherds identified the Lord Jesus by his swaddling clothes.
 
A more accurate name for the manger was a feeding trough. God’s chosen people expected their Messiah to be born in royalty, not in a barn. They rejected him.
 
Jesus was born meek and lowly. Though He was King of kings and Lord of lords, only He qualified to come to earth as God in the flesh. Only He could offer His life as a sacrificial lamb for our sins. Why? Because He is perfect and He was doing the Father’s will..
 
I’m so glad.