1. Luke 2:7-20 (NASB) 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

2. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has ha 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

3. 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

4. What Sign Is This?  Signs were always confirmation of a message to the people.  This message was that the Savior was born, the long expected Messiah!  The two signs were:  Wrapped in swaddling cloths  Lying in a manger

5. Wrapped in Swaddling Cloths  Wrapped in Swaddling Cloths  Could represent grave cloths as in the practice called banding.  Swaddling also represented the child as having a father and mother (not illegitimate) of a known origin in which the child was salted and wrapped with a marking that included the band from their wedding – Ezekiel 16:2-5. What Sign Is This?

6. Ezekiel 16:2-5 (NASB) 2 “Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord G OD to Jerusalem, “Your origin and your birth are from the land of the Canaanite, your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 4 As for your birth, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water for cleansing; you were not rubbed with salt or even wrapped in cloths. 5 No eye looked with pity on you to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you. Rather you were thrown out into the open field, for you were abhorred on the day you were born.

7. Wrapped in Swaddling Cloths  Wrapped in Swaddling Cloths  This could represent grave cloths as in the practice called banding.  Swaddling also represented the child as having a father and mother (not illegitimate) of a known origin in which the child was salted and wrapped with a marking that included the band from their wedding – Ezekiel 16:2-5.  It also represents the helpless human side of the Messiah.  But there is something more! What Sign Is This?

8. Genesis 35:16-21 (NASB) 16 Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor. 17 When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for now you have another son.” 18 It came about as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. 21 Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

9. Some things you need to know.  Some things you need to know.  Bethel – House of God; Jesus came from the House of God.  Rachel – little ewe or lamb; ewes (female lambs) were used as a peace offering.  Ben-oni – son of pain or sorrow; Jesus became the Son of Sorrow.  Binjamin – son of the right hand; Jesus is the strong right hand of God.  Beth-lechem – house of bread; Jesus came from the house of bread to be the Bread of Life. What Sign Is This?

10. Micah 4:8-10 (NASB ) 8 “As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come— Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. 9 “Now, why do you cry out loudly? Is there no king among you, Or has your counselor perished, That agony has gripped you like a woman in childbirth?

11. 10 “Writhe and labor to give birth, Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth; For now you will go out of the city, Dwell in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be rescued; There the L ORD will redeem you From the hand of your enemies

14.  This tower became known as Midgal Eder.  Midgal Eder was about a mile outside of Bethlehem. Alfred Edersheim  The watchtower for the ordinary flocks was far outside the town.  But Midgal Eder was the tower for the temple flocks watched by the shepherd/priests. Shekelim 7:4 from Mishnah  Targum Yonatan translates Genesis 35:23 and Micah 4:8 as “He spread his tent beyond Midgal Eder, the place where King Messiah will reveal Himself at the end of days.” What Sign Is This?

15.  The shepherd/priests would watch over the flocks and were trained in the birthing process to keep the sacrificial lambs from having spot or blemish.  They would wrap the newborns in cloths made from the old undergarments of the priests and lay them in a manger until they had gained their strength and calmed down from the birthing process.  In order to keep them from being trampled, they would be placed in a manger! What Sign Is This?

16.  This also was a picture of an offering up for sin!  Since Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, was married to a priest, Zacharias, she would have had access to these cloths.  Mary and Joseph showed great faith and obedience. It was not necessary for Mary to make this journey.  They knew where the Messiah was to be born.  They also followed the law and that would not allow for Jesus to be born in the same room where others were staying. What Sign Is This?

17.  The birthing floor of the Migdal Eder would have been a perfect secluded place!  The shepherd/priests would have known exactly where to go!  They also would be among the few that could really appreciate what they saw.  The message was very personal and very specific!  The sign of Jesus’ lowly birth screams of the big picture of a Sovereign, Loving Plan! What Sign Is This?