Daily Encouragement (12/23/21) "Divinity In A Diaper"
Published: Thu, 12/23/21
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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"Divinity In A Diaper"
Message summary: Jesus Himself stated, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Today let us lift up the One Mary laid down in the manger!
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"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12). "And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger" (Luke
2:16).
![]() The very first place the infant Jesus was physically placed, after His birth, was in a manger, the feeding trough for animals. The specific composition of the manger is not specified in Scripture, but it was likely made from wood or perhaps from a hollowed out log. One source suggested it was a water trough carved from stone. Although I am not an expert in archaeology I am pretty certain it wasn't made of plastic!
One can see Mary wrapping her newborn babe in cloths and tenderly placing Him in the manger. Perhaps the following will be too much analytical musing for some. What did they use at the time of Jesus for diapers? The disposable diaper was not invented till the mid-fifties and of course it took awhile to catch on. We were both born in the mid-fifties but are certain our mothers didn't use something newfangled and expensive like disposable diapers!
Mary wrapped Jesus in “swaddling cloths”. We often consider this in regard to keeping Him covered and warm. However there was also likely a diaper purpose to these cloths. One source rather candidly explained, "In ancient times it was common for babies to wrapped in cloth, but with an opening left near the buttocks. Women would carry a small clay pot and would hold this in position when the baby was about to excrete. This may
sound strange in the modern world of disposable diapers, but many mothers still practice this."
![]() But is there an even deeper meaning in these swaddling cloths and manger? This was a "sign" to the shepherds (Luke 2:12). Rabbi Jason Sobel suggests a fascinating reason for this:
"For the shepherds, there was great significance in finding the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths. This will be a sign to you. You'll see a baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling cloths. These were not ordinary shepherds, these were Levitical shepherds. They were raising the sacrifices that were to be offered in the temple and when it was time for these lambs to be born they would bring them into the shepherd's
caves and they'd be born in these caves, and then it would be swaddled because the sacrifice had to be without spot or blemish. And so you could imagine these shepherds, who were raising the sacrifices for the temple, get this revelation from the angels that they're going to find a a baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling cloths. So what do they see; a baby, born in the same place of the Passover lambs, were born swaddled like a Passover lamb which pointed to the fact that Messiah
was the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world."
In the Gospel of John after the rich theological introduction in verses 1-18 Jesus is first introduced by John the Baptist with these words, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29).
The final physical place where Jesus was placed on earth was a cross. As a symbol we now see crosses made of stone, metal, jewels, and other materials (even plastic!), but the old rugged cross upon which the dear Son of God died was most certainly made of wood. In fact Peter writes, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.” At His birth He was lovingly placed in the manger by His mother. But at His death
he was angrily nailed to the cross by the hands of wicked men. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter cried out to the crowd, “You, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross” (Acts 2:23).
Jesus Himself stated, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32). Today let us lift up the One Mary laid down in the manger! Divinity in a diaper.
See Him in a manger laid, Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, with us sing our Savior’s birth. Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a in excelsis de-o Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
![]() The Webers at the Shadow Mountain Community Church Nativity
Christmas greeting to our readers:
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Rabbi Jason Sobel The Significance of the Swaddling Clothes Video 2:08 minutes
See Him In A Manger Lay" Video Eric and Tonna O’Dell
Yesterday we shared a quiz that identify Christmas songs using some rather cryptic clues. Here are the answers: (Kudos to Linda from West Virginia for plodding through and getting the answers for this rather unusual quiz! 1. Quadruped with Crimson Proboscis.....Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 2. Eight p.m. to Six a.m. without noise.........Silent Night 3. Minuscule Hamlet in the Near East...........O Little Town of Bethlehem 4. Ancient Benevolent Despot.....Good King Winsleaus 5. Exuberance Directed to the Planet..........Joy to the World 6. Listen, Aerial Spirits Announcing..........Hark the Herald Angels Sing 7. Trio of Monarchs.....We Three kings 8. Yonder in the Hay Rack............Away in a Manger 9. Cherubim Audited from Aloft.........Angels We Have Heard on High 10. Assemble Everyone Who Believes............Oh Come All Ye Faithful 11. Hollowed Post Meridian.........O Holy Night 12. Fantasia of a Colorless December 25..........I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas 13. A Dozen Twenty-Four Hour Yule Periods.....12 Days of Christmas 14. Befell During the Transparent Bewitching Hour.......It Came Upon a Midnight Clear 15. Frigid Homo Sapien of Crystallized Vapor..............Frosty the Snowman 16. Desire a Pair of Incisors on December 25.......All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth 17. I Spied my Maternal Parent Osculating........I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 18. Perambulating Through a December Solstice Fantasy....Walking in a Winter Wonderland 19. Adorn the Vestibule.............Deck the Halls 20. Tin Tintinnabulums.......Silver Bells or Jingle Bells Resources for Christmas Celebrations
(We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas)
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years. Perhaps they may be a blessing to you, your family or church during this Christmas season.
"In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services over the years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. Here's a great Communion Hymn for Christmas (Video) "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." © Copyright 2021 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
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