The Bible mentions that when Jesus was born, Mary “wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). But what exactly does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths? Let’s explore this in more detail.
What are swaddling cloths?
Swaddling cloths were strips of cloth that were commonly used in biblical times to wrap around newborn babies. The cloth would be wrapped snugly around the baby to help restrict movement and provide comfort and security. Swaddling was a standard practice of caring for infants in ancient Middle Eastern cultures.
The cloths used for swaddling were likely made of linen or wool. They would be about 3-4 inches wide and anywhere from 2-6 feet long, depending on the size of the baby. The strips would be tightly wrapped around the baby’s body from the shoulders down to the feet. Oftentimes the hands and arms would be included in the wrapping as well. The cloths would be secured with ties or pins.
Swaddling provided several benefits for newborn babies:
- Kept them warm and protected from the elements
- Gave them a sense of security and comfort
- Restricted movement which helped them sleep more soundly
- Prevented accidental injury from jerky movements
- Provided support for the fragile bones and body
So in summary, swaddling cloths were simply strips of cloth that were wrapped snugly around a newborn baby to provide warmth, comfort and protection.
Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths as a newborn
The Gospel of Luke gives us the only account of Jesus being wrapped in swaddling cloths at his birth. Luke 2:6-7 says:
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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.
This description of Mary wrapping Jesus in cloths was meant to convey that she cared for him just as any loving mother would care for her newborn child. Jesus was fully human, so it was natural that he would be treated as any other human baby and be swaddled at his birth.
The act of swaddling Jesus also shows the reality and humanness of the incarnation. God became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). Though Jesus was divine, he took on full human nature. The Creator of the universe was laid down by his mother and tightly wrapped in strips of cloth, completely dependent on her care.
In addition, the mention of swaddling cloths connects Jesus with the prophecy about the coming Messiah in Wisdom of Solomon 7:4-5: “I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths. For no king has had a different beginning of existence.” This passage indicates that the preexistent Son of God, the promised Messiah, would have a humble, human birth.
Jesus identified with lowly humanity
The swaddling cloths were one of the first signs indicating Jesus came to identify with humanity, especially poor and lowly humanity. He was not born in a palace or even a home, but in a stable. And his first bed was a manger, an animal’s feed trough. The stripping of his heavenly glory to take on human flesh is emphasized in Philippians 2:6-7:
Though he was in the form of God, [Jesus] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
The Creator humbled himself to become part of his own creation. And the beginning of this humility was being wrapped snugly like all other babies, in strips of simple cloth.
The swaddling cloths remind us that Christ came to identify with humankind at our most basic, elemental level. He experienced the full range of human living and suffering, from birth to death. Hebrews 4:15 says:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
As a baby, Christ did not make his arrival with fanfare and prestige. And so his swaddling foreshadowed the humble servant nature of his entire ministry. Mark 10:45 says:
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
The plain cloth that Jesus was wrapped in as a newborn baby characterized the plain, ordinary life he lived for most of his time on earth.
Jesus brought new life through his death
There is profound irony in the swaddling cloths being associated with both Jesus’ birth and burial:
“And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock” (Mark 15:46).
The swaddling cloths at Jesus’ birth foreshadowed the grave cloths that he was wrapped in at his death. This paints a beautiful picture of Christ’s mission to bring new life through his death on the cross. Jesus explained this:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).
Like a seed planted in the ground, Jesus had to die and be buried in order to produce new life. And that new resurrection life is what Jesus came to give us, if we put our faith in him.
So in his birth wrappings we see anticipation of Jesus’ death which enables him to give spiritual rebirth to all who believe. The swaddling cloths silently testify to Christ’s mission to die and rise again in order to redeem humanity.
We are set free from bondage
On a symbolic level, the swaddling cloths can represent the bondage of sin and death that bind us. Isaiah 64:6 says:
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Through the Fall, we are all enslaved and constricted by our own sin. Just as the swaddling cloths restricted Jesus’ infant movements, our sin binds us and prevents us from freely walking with God.
But praise God that Jesus came to set us free! Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the chains of sin and death are broken. Romans 8:1-2 proclaims:
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Believers are liberated through faith in Christ. Like a baby finally freed from restrictive swaddling wraps, we are released to live and move in the freedom of following Christ.
We are wrapped in Christ’s righteousness
When we trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are clothed in his perfect righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says:
God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Though Christ was wrapped in humble swaddling cloths, he is the One who now wraps us in the royal robes of his own righteousness. Instead of being burdened by the weight of our sin and shame, we are freed and adorned with Christ’s perfection as God’s beloved children.
This “clothing swap” is described in Zechariah 3:1-5. Joshua’s filthy garments, representing sin, are taken off and replaced with festal robes, representing purity.
What a beautiful picture! The swaddling cloths of Christ’s birth represent the righteousness he would later clothe us in. We go from being tightly bound to being beautifully free in him.
Key points
- Swaddling cloths were strips of cloth used to snugly wrap newborn babies in biblical times.
- Jesus was wrapped in swaddling cloths at his birth to show his full humanity and identification with lowly humanity.
- The swaddling foreshadowed Jesus’ death wrapping, which allowed him to bring new life.
- Jesus frees us from the bondage of sin, setting us free like a baby released from swaddling wraps.
- When we have faith in Christ, we are clothed in his perfect righteousness.
Conclusion
The humble swaddling cloths of Jesus’ birth tell a deep story. God became man to die for us so we can be unbound from sin and reborn in righteousness. As you celebrate Christ’s birth, remember how much he loves you. Just as Mary wrapped Jesus snugly in cloths, Jesus has wrapped you securely in his eternal embrace. You are free and loved – thanks be to God!