Tell me more ×
Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 5 down vote favorite

Luke gives the account of Jesus' birth and mentions that Mary wrapped Him in "swaddling cloths".

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 ESV

What is particular significant about this? Is there any historical material on whether this was a common practice for newborns or whether it was unique to this birth?

share|improve this question
Interesting to me is that the care implied by the wrapping seems to contrast with the laying in a manger, but this might just point out my cultural ignorance. – Paul A. Clayton Dec 18 '12 at 21:29
@PaulA.Clayton: There probably wasn't a better place to put the baby Jesus. – El'endia Starman♦ Dec 18 '12 at 22:25
The traditional Spanish Bible actually uses a culturally familiar word here: it says that she put him in pañales (diapers). This seems to suggest that there wasn't anything particularly significant to it; she was treating him as an ordinary baby. – Mason Wheeler♦ Dec 19 '12 at 5:31
Common practice to be sure. Which is all the more reason to wonder why the author felt the need to include such a detail! – svidgen Dec 20 '12 at 16:34

3 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

I don't want to plagiarize, but there is a very good Catholic article on this here.

In summary, the significance of swaddling clothes lies both in the fact that it is humble, common, ordinary, and also that it ties to Solomon - specifically the Wisdom of Solomon 7, 3-6.

7:3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do. 7:4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares. 7:5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth. 7:6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.

Per the author of the article, this tie is a reinforcement of Christ's place in the Davidic line, and his rightful place as heir to the Throne of David.

This may or may not be agreed upon by all denominations, (The Wisdom of Solomon isn't in the Protestant Bible) or even all Catholics. The idea of it signifying humble beginnings for the King of Kings does seem to be more universal.

Another article at http://living4jesus.net/dynamic/in.swaddling.htm tells that swaddling cloth used in Scripture is not swaddling clothes that a normal infant would be buried in, but rather the strips of cloth used in burial rites.

Have you ever wondered about "swaddling clothes"?

Everyone knows that Jesus was born in a manger, and the 2nd chapter of the gospel of Luke says that he was wrapped in "swaddling clothes" and laid in a manger. In fact, even hospitals today use a cloth that they call a "swaddling" cloth. Unfortunately, it's a misnomer that will soon be over 2,000 years old, because "swaddling clothes" have nothing to do with a child being born!

In the Middle East, people traveling long distances were often met with many hardships and trials on their journeys. In the event of a death in travel, the body could not continue to be transported for many days. For that reason, travelers wrapped a thin, gauzelike cloth around their waist many times. If someone died on the journey, the others would use this cloth, referred to as "swaddling clothes" to wrap the corpse in before burying them.

When Jesus was born, there was no room in the Inn, and so Mary and Joseph used a nearby stable for Jesus' birth. With no other cloth to use, Jesus was wrapped in Joseph's "swaddling clothes" - the cloth normally reserved for a person's death.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords came into this world in a lowly manger and was wrapped with burial clothes - in truth, He was born to die. To die for the sins of all mankind.

Clearly, there can be many deeper meanings read into the significance of Swaddling Clothes. Whether all are accurate, or simply a part of our tendency to romanticize and look for deeper meaning, I'm not sure, but I thought that each of these was worth sharing.

share|improve this answer
1  
Very nice, there are always deeper meanings! You hit the literal, anagogical, allegorical and moral senses. – Peter Turner Dec 19 '12 at 3:45
I must contest such a theory. Look up the noun σπάργανον which is related to that very same verb in question, σπαργανόω. – H3br3wHamm3r81 Dec 19 '12 at 5:31
I don't know enough to argue. :-) That's why I included the last sentence. – David Stratton Dec 19 '12 at 5:33
Our tendency to romanticize what we read may be linked to our tendency to romanticize what we write! In the case of scripture, I think it's especially warranted. The scripture writers tend not include any trivial details. – svidgen Dec 20 '12 at 16:32
up vote 3 down vote

As we read the Nativity Story, (esp Luke 2: 7-20) Ponder the questions? Why did the angels go to the shepherds first? Why are swaddling clothes twice mentioned, "And this shall be a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

I gave a talk a week ago, on the shepherd seeking the lost sheep, when I found the special significance of this verse Christmas Eve, it brought a special testimony of His birth as the Saviour, The shepherds would take the firstborn of the flock for the sin sacrifice offering. To stop the newborn lamb from injuring itself so it would be without blemish they would wrap them in swaddling clothes and usually lay them in a manger until they were stronger and ready to go to the mother. Thus the sign of the firstborn son wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger was of special signifigance to the shepherds, who would share this incredible sign with others who could understand it! May He continue to have a significant place in everyone's heart especially on this day of celebration. Humbly, in His Eternal Love

Bob Lewis

share|improve this answer
2  
Neat. Can you add a reference? – svidgen Dec 26 '12 at 2:31
Thanks so much, Bob. I would be EXTREMELY interested in a reference to this. – Narnian Dec 27 '12 at 13:44
up vote 2 down vote

It's just what people do with newborns: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaddling

We found that wrapping our children with slightly stretchy fabric blankets when they were infants tended to comfort them and help them sleep better than when their limbs would flail about.

share|improve this answer
Common practice in a lot of places. So, why include it in a narrative that is otherwise overloaded with symbolism? Why include a birth story at all? – svidgen Dec 20 '12 at 16:23
Maybe just to show that he was a regular baby, or to reinforce the idea that he was of humble beginnings? Were royal babies wrapped differently? I don't know, but it seems to fit with the overall image of humility. – kurosch Dec 20 '12 at 18:29
Certainly a possibility. See david's answer. – svidgen Dec 20 '12 at 19:18

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.