Swaddling-clothes refer to the strips of cloth used to wrap newborn infants tightly, a common practice in ancient times to provide warmth and security to the child. This term is most famously associated with the birth of Jesus Christ, as described in the Gospel of Luke. The use of swaddling-clothes is mentioned in the context of the nativity account, highlighting the humble and modest circumstances surrounding the birth of the Savior.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference to swaddling-clothes is found in the Gospel of Luke. The angel of the Lord announces to the shepherds the birth of Jesus, providing them with a sign: "You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12). This imagery underscores the humility of Christ's incarnation, as He was not born in a palace but in a stable, and His first bed was a manger.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, swaddling was a common practice. It involved wrapping infants in long strips of cloth to restrict their movement, which was believed to help them grow straight and strong. This practice also provided warmth and a sense of security, mimicking the conditions of the womb. Swaddling-clothes were typically made from linen or wool, depending on the family's resources.

The mention of swaddling-clothes in the nativity narrative serves to emphasize the normalcy and ordinariness of Jesus' birth, despite His divine nature. It reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's humble beginnings, as seen in passages like Isaiah 53:2, which speaks of the Messiah growing up "like a tender shoot" and having "no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him."

Theological Significance:

The use of swaddling-clothes in the account of Jesus' birth carries deep theological significance. It symbolizes the incarnation of Christ, God taking on human flesh and entering the world in the most vulnerable and dependent form—a newborn child. This act of humility is central to the Christian understanding of the nature of Jesus, who, though fully divine, chose to experience the full range of human life, beginning with birth.

Furthermore, the swaddling-clothes serve as a sign to the shepherds, who were among the first to receive the good news of the Savior's birth. The angel's message and the subsequent discovery of Jesus in such humble circumstances highlight the accessibility of Christ to all people, regardless of social status or wealth. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the lowly and marginalized, as seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

In summary, swaddling-clothes in the biblical narrative are more than just a detail of ancient childcare; they are a profound symbol of the humility and accessibility of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.4683. sparganoo -- to wrap in swaddling clothes
... to wrap in swaddling clothes. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sparganoo Phonetic
Spelling: (spar-gan-o'-o) Short Definition: I wrap in swaddling clothes ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4683.htm - 6k

The Birth of Jesus. Ch. 2:1-20
... were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.7 And she brought
forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/e the birth of jesus.htm

Matt. Ii. 1, 2
... down on themselves a thousand deaths. 2. And why did they at all worship
one who was in swaddling clothes? For if He had been a ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vi matt ii 1.htm

The Early Life of St. Joseph
... The boys had separate little gardens, at the entrance of which stood figures like
babies in swaddling clothes on pillars, but sheltered a little (in niches ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/v the early life of.htm

Jesus is Born at Bethlehem
... was born. And she wrapped him in swaddling-clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn. In that ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is born at bethlehem.htm

Whether Christ was Born Without his Mother Suffering?
... Reply to Objection 3: We are told (Lk.2:7) that the Blessed Virgin herself "wrapped
up in swaddling clothes" the Child whom she had brought forth, "and laid ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was born without.htm

Religious Joy.
... This he intimated in these words: "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger." Doubtless, when they heard the Lord's Christ was ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvii religious joy.htm

The Circumcision of Jesus
... Prayers were again offered. Then, the woman unwrapped the Child from His swaddling
clothes and placed Him on the lap of the priest in the chair. St. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xii the circumcision of jesus.htm

Glory to all of Thee from all of Us!
... He was wrapped meanly in swaddling clothes, and offerings were offered Him."He put
on garments in youth, and from them there came forth helps: He put on the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xvi glory to all.htm

Christ's Birth
... meditation. On the carpet before Mary lay the newborn Jesus in swaddling
clothes, a little Child, beautiful and radiant as lightning. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

Matt. Ii. 4, 5
... A star, I mean, calling the wise men from on high; and barbarians making so long
a pilgrimage, to worship Him that lay in swaddling clothes and a manger; and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vii matt ii 4.htm

Swaddling-clothes (2 Occurrences)
Swaddling-clothes. Swaddling-band, Swaddling-clothes. Swallow .
Multi-Version Concordance Swaddling-clothes (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/swaddling-clothes.htm - 7k

Swaddling-band (1 Occurrence)
Swaddling-band. Swaddlingband, Swaddling-band. Swaddling-clothes . Int. ... The
oriental swaddling-clothes consist of a square of cloth and two or more bandages ...
/s/swaddling-band.htm - 8k

Swaddle
... band (verb chathal, "enwrap," "swaddle" (Ezekiel 16:4), noun chathullah,
"swaddling-band" (Job 38:9); verb sparganoo, "to wrap in swaddlingclothes" (Luke ...
/s/swaddle.htm - 8k

Swaddlingband (1 Occurrence)
... band (verb chathal, "enwrap," "swaddle" (Ezekiel 16:4), noun chathullah,
"swaddling-band" (Job 38:9); verb sparganoo, "to wrap in swaddlingclothes" (Luke ...
/s/swaddlingband.htm - 8k

Manger (7 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddlingclothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn ...
/m/manger.htm - 10k

Swaddling (3 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddlingclothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn ...
/s/swaddling.htm - 7k

Clothes (208 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddlingclothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn ...
/c/clothes.htm - 37k

Fountain (57 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem. The fountain received its name from the "fantastic legend" that
here the virgin washed the swaddling-clothes of our Lord. ...
/f/fountain.htm - 30k

Token (24 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Luke 2:12 And this is the token for you: you will find a babe
wrapped in swaddlingclothes and lying in a manger." (WEY). ...
/t/token.htm - 16k

Midwife (4 Occurrences)
... which they had to perform are enumerated in Ezekiel 16:4: division of the cord,
washing the infant in water, salting with salt and swathing in swaddlingclothes...
/m/midwife.htm - 10k

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