And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
και τουτο υμιν το σημειον ευρησετε βρεφος εσπαργανωμενον κειμενον εν φατνη
16 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 19 commentaries
To Joseph the Angel appeared in a dream, as to one who might be easily brought to believe, but to the shepherds in visible shape as to men of a ruder nature. But the Angel went not to Jerusalem, sought not for Scribes and Pharisees, (for they were corrupt and tormented with envy.) But these were simple men living in the ancient practices of Moses and the Patriarchs. There is a certain road which leads by innocence to Philosophy.
The angel announced immense joy, which he declared would be for all humanity, especially for God's chosen people. However, not every Jew constitutes the people of God. Yet, the incarnation of God brought joy to all of humankind.
But that which is in the middle, namely, Christ, has reference to the adoration, and signifies not the nature, but the compound substance of two natures. For on Christ our Saviour we confess the anointing to have been performed, not however figuratively, (as formerly on kings by the oil,) and as if by prophetic grace, nor for the accomplishment of any work, as it is said in Isaiah, Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus; (Isa. 45.) who although he was an idolater was said to be anointed, that he might by the decree of Heaven take possession of the whole province of Babylon; but the Saviour as man in the form of a servant, was anointed by the Holy Spirit, as God He Himself by His Holy Spirit anoints those that believe on Him.
He was enveloped in burial cloths, yet upon His resurrection, He shed those grave wrappings. Born in a stable, He was exalted by heavenly beings, signaled by a star, and revered through the worship of the Wise Men. How is it that you falter in the face of the tangible, overlooking the profound?
Observe with what care God builds up our faith. An Angel teaches Mary; an Angel teaches Joseph; an Angel the shepherds also, of whom it is said, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field.
But if perhaps the swaddling clothes are mean in thy eyes, admire the Angels singing praises together. If thou despisest the manger, raise thy eyes a little, and behold the new star in heaven proclaiming to the world the Lord’s nativity. If thou believest the mean things, believe also the mighty. If thou disputest about those which betoken His lowliness, look with reverence on what is high and heavenly.
Here is evidence for you that my words are truthful.
But if we would rise to a more hidden meaning, I should say, that there were certain shepherd angels, who direct the affairs of men, and while each one of them was keeping his watch, an angel came at the birth of the Lord, and announced to the shepherds that the true Shepherd had arisen. For Angels before the coming of the Saviour could bring little help to those entrusted to them, for scarcely did one single Gentile believe in God. But now whole nations come to the faith of Jesus.
They were alarmed at the miracle, as it follows, And they were afraid, &c. But the Angel dispels their rising fears. He not only soothes their terrors, but pours gladness into their hearts; for it follows, For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, &c. not to the Jewish people only, but to all. The cause of their joy is declared; the new and wonderful birth is made manifest by the very names. It follows, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. The first of these, i. e. the Saviour, has reference to the action, the third, i. e. the Lord, to the dignity of the person.
He marks the time of our Lord’s nativity, when he says, To-day, and the place when he adds, In the city of David; and the signs thereof when it follows, And there shall be a sign, &c. Now the Angels bring tidings to the shepherds of the Chief Shepherd, as of a lamb discovered and brought up in a cave.
It was in a mystery that the Angel appeared to the shepherds while they were watching, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, implying that they are thought worthy above the rest to see sublime things who take a watchful care of their faithful flocks; and while they themselves are piously watching over them, the Divine grace shines widely round about them.
No where in the whole course of the Old Testament do we find that the Angels who so constantly appear to the Patriarchs, came with light. This privilege was rightly kept for this time when there arose in the darkness a light to them that were true of heart. Hence it follows, and the glory of God shone round about them. (Ps. 112:4.) He is sent forth from the womb, but He shines from heaven. He lies in a common inn, but He lives in celestial light.
The infancy of the Saviour was impressed upon us, both by frequent heraldings of Angels and testimonies of Evangelists, that we might be the more deeply penetrated in our hearts by what has been done for us. And we may observe, that the sign given us of the newborn Saviour was, that He would be found not clothed in Tyrian purple, but wrapped in poor swaddling clothes, not laying on gilded couches, but in a manger.
For in a mystery, those shepherds, and their flocks, signify all teachers and guides of faithful souls. The night in which they were keeping watch over their flocks, indicates the dangerous temptations from which they never cease to keep themselves, and those placed under their care. Well also at the birth of our Lord do shepherds watch over their flocks; for He was born who says, I am the good Shepherd: (John 10:11, 16.) but the time also was at hand in which the same Shepherd was to recal His scattered sheep to the pastures of life.
Why does the angel not say, "Go"? By stating this, he seems to suggest that they should make their own way. The shepherds could not delay in their journey to witness the birth of the Savior. There is mention of a sign, yet the location remains unspecified. The shepherds might have thought it was at the inn. However, what is the sign indicated to them? They are told of great joy, and the sign of that joy is the Child in the manger. It may be difficult to accept such a sign, yet the shepherds transcended any doubt. It is clear that the mystery had been disclosed to them; the angel's invitation to worship the Messiah was not without purpose; their faith and purity of life had made them deserving of this revelation.
Tradition holds that there were three shepherds, distinguished from others who kept watch that night. This sign is presented to them as a test of their faith, as they engage with the Gospel accounts detailing the circumstances of Jesus Christ’s earthly life. They express their adoration at the birth of Christ.
The shepherds in Bethlehem, who were the first to hear the divine announcement of the Savior's birth, must have been devout individuals, genuine Israelites, deeply yearning for and anticipating the arrival of the promised Messiah. Thus, during tranquil evenings, bathed in the light of the celestial bodies, they likely engaged in heartfelt reflections and discussions concerning their sacred hopes and aspirations. This spiritual preparation fostered in their hearts a readiness to embrace the joyful tidings of the Redeemer’s birth.
One night, as they tended to their flocks in the fields, an angel of the Lord appeared before them, enveloped in the brilliance of the Lord’s glory. The suddenness and strangeness of this appearance undoubtedly incited fear within them. Coupled with this was the awareness of their own impurity and sinfulness, leading to the belief, rooted in the Old Testament, that seeing God would result in death (Judges 13:22). Consequently, the shepherds may have perceived this heavenly encounter as foreboding. However, the angel comforted them, declaring that he brought tidings of great joy for all people. He then revealed the source of this joy—the birth of the Savior, whom he referred to as Christ the Lord (cf. 2:26), in the city of David. This reference was likely intended to remind the shepherds of the prophecy found in Micah (Micah 5:1), which, as noted in Matthew 2:5, held particular significance among the Jews of that time concerning the Messiah.
The angel recognized the faith and eagerness in the hearts of the shepherds to witness and verify the fulfillment of this miraculous event. Therefore, he provided them with a sign: they would find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The angel conveyed to the shepherds that they would discover Christ the Lord wrapped in swaddling clothes and resting in a manger. But why did the angel choose not to proclaim the Messiah’s birth to the Jewish elders, including the scribes and Pharisees? Why were they not invited to pay homage to the divine Infant? The reason lies in their spiritual blindness; these leaders had lost sight of the true significance of the prophecies regarding the Messiah. Their profound Jewish pride led them to believe that the promised Savior would arrive in the glorious form of a triumphant king, destined to conquer the world. With such distorted expectations, it is clear they would have found it unbelievable that the child born in a humble cave under such lowly conditions was indeed the true Messiah-Christ.
In the stillness of the night, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them, and the radiance of the Lord enveloped them. They were filled with overwhelming fear, yet the angel comforted them, proclaiming, "Do not be afraid; I bring you news of great joy for all people. For today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." As they received this astonishing message, overwhelmed by simplicity, they witnessed a miraculous sign that confirmed the angel's words.
The night sky, once filled with countless stars, burst forth with an ineffable brilliance, revealing a multitude of heavenly beings, as a triumphant angelic chorus echoed across the tranquil earth, proclaiming a new dawn in human history: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" In the heavenly realms, a sacred divine service unfolded, akin to that celebrated in the temple of Jerusalem. As the offering was placed upon the altar, a celestial melody resonated in three distinct tones, marked by the sounding of silver trumpets, creating a constant echo of the sacred ‘Trisagion’. The angelic hymn mirrored this Trisagion in its threefold refrain, encompassing the divine, the earthly, and the human spirit. Throughout the entire account of the Old Testament, there exists a singular moment when a mortal was graced to hear the song of the heavenly realm. It was when the prophet Isaiah, in his exalted vision, beheld the glory of the Lord of hosts and the seraphim surrounding Him ceaselessly proclaimed, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6:1-3)! In that sacred moment, the thresholds trembled at the sound of their mighty utterances, and the heart of the prophet quaked in fear. Yet now, the angelic hymn that reached the ears of the humble shepherds filled their hearts with bliss, joy, and serenity.
This serves as a sign for you: at times, individuals who do not seek a sign to validate something are granted one to strengthen their faith (as with the virgin Mary, see Luke 2:36), while those who request a sign may not receive it due to their disbelief, facing consequences as Zacharias did. The ‘sign’ itself perfectly aligns with the uncomplicated faith of the shepherds. In the presence of this humble child in the manger, they were able to recognize the Messiah of Israel; their trust remained steadfast, undeterred by the apparent humiliation of the King of Israel (see Luke 2:20).
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 12 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS