What links these two in their commonality? I would like to bring to you the most amazing story known to the entire world, not like you have heard before, but according to facts hidden from translations. When we hear about the Birth of Christ story we think shepherds, star, manger, sheep, goats, donkeys, the three wise men, and their gifts. It is a story of light and angels singing; a story of hope of salvation. We understand that and we rejoice that our Savior has been born. “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). However, there are specific insights missing in this wonderful story hidden from us in the past, but now revealed. Thanks to those dedicated students of the Bible. These are specifics of great significance that confirms the divinity of our Savior, YAHSHUA, and His role as the Lamb of God. I have written about this before just in passing, but now I want to bring this story to you in its entirety and meaning. Perhaps you will never celebrate the birth of Christ the same way as before.
The book entitled The Life and Times of Jesus Messiah by Alfred Edersheim (1899) reveals that the Jewish belief and conviction were not only that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, but that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder- the Tower of Flock. This tower was not a watchtower for the ordinary flocks, which pastured on the barren sheep ground beyond Bethlehem, but these lay close to town, on the road to Jerusalem. They were destined for temple sacrifices and those shepherds who watched over them were not ordinary shepherds either. These watchtowers were like forts from where the shepherds would observe their flocks from the second floor. In the occasion of births, the shepherds would wrap the newborn lambs in swaddling clothes for their protection, keeping them without blemish and then laid them in a manger.
The beauty of this story reflects the report of YAHSHUA’S birth, which we read in Luke 2: 6-12: And while they were there, the time came for their delivery, and she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn. And in that vicinity there were shepherds living in the field, watching over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terrible frightened. But the angel said to them, do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This language was familiar to those shepherds. But they did not associate the Messiah to be the Sacrificial Lamb of God for the sins of the world.