The Shepherds’ Sign

The Manger King 
Terry R. Baughman

“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12 NKJ).

The sign predicted by Isaiah to Judah’s King wasn’t the only sign given of future expectation. Embedded in prophecy was the anticipation of the coming Messiah. That was abundantly evident when the angel who spoke to Joseph in his visionary dream declared that the coming child born to Mary would be the long awaited sign of fulfillment. He said, “‘The virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23 NKJ). 

 God desired to communicate with His creation. He sent prophets with personal messages, created beautiful scenes of nature to show His glory for our pleasure, and provided supernatural signs and events for a confirmation of His divine presence. It is God’s pleasure to make Himself known to humanity. His coming was to reveal His glory among the people. John wrote, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NKJ).

Shepherds were on the lower rungs of society in ancient Egypt. (See Genesis 46:33-34.) Ironically, God chose shepherds under starlit skies near Bethlehem to announce His arrival. To this humble group an angel appeared with the news, “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 NKJ). The Messiah had been born! The anointed one was proclaimed to humble shepherds. 

God gave these shepherds a sign, “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12 NKJ). The newborn baby would be found in a feeding trough, bundled in strips of cloth, in an obscure shelter for animals. This unexpected birthplace gave way to a heavenly celebration as a magnificent multitude of angels praising God with a song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJ).

Isaiah had also prophesied many years before this event that a child would be born and a son given who would be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
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Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJ). After 600 years the sign was fulfilled and shepherds witnessed the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus was the child, the son, and the fulfillment of all these descriptions. He is the Mighty God and the Everlasting Father! The Manger King was all of that and more … the King of kings, and the Lord of lords! 



Theme passage:
“There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12 NKJ).