“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Lk 2:12)
We came to visit our children in Houston. We met the youngest member of our family, baby Oliver Sisan Oakes. He is five weeks old. After his evening bath, his parents wrap him in a special blanket to keep him from being over active when it is time to sleep. This is called swaddling. It is quite common in Romania from where I come from. It helps the children to sleep better, to learn discipline early in life. This method was also commonly practiced in Israel, when Jesus, our Lord was born.
This was the message given by the angels to the shepherds. Baby Jesus shall be found by them. He will be swaddled, wrapped in clothes, like a butterfly in the making, hidden in his cocoon. Soon, the butterfly will be free and fly. But until then, he needs to stay hidden and quiet. He will not move an inch to find anyone. Men must leave their ‘sheep’ and go to find the Savior of the world. Have you find Him, of whom the angels worship? His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!
In the picture is baby Oliver, in his bed, swaddled and ready to sleep. Is he not just sweet?
Green Pastures 