Swaddling clothes are the best manger wear.

“In those days Caesar Augustus published a decree ... everyone come to register.” Mary and Joseph traveled from their home in Nazareth to David’s town of Bethlehem. There they found Jesus and salvation appeared at last. 

For us this decree still comes calling us to Bethlehem. No matter what our state of spiritual health, we are invited to come to Bethlehem and register our gratitude and loyalty for our Savior’s gift of redemption.

We eagerly go, teeming with joy and pregnant with hope gazing upon our God made flesh now dwelling among us. Before his straw-filled manger, we bend low renewing our obedience as his disciples.

As we journey along, from year to year, turning one Christmas into another, we seek hope from his guiding star to be the light we need to find the right paths. All the while listening joyfully to the uplifting chorus of heavenly songs.

As we do, we bring our long-awaited Jesus the precious gift of ourselves. Wanting only in return the real joy of Christmas: Jesus embracing us lovingly in our swaddling clothes pledging our affection, appreciation, and faithfulness to Him with delight.

St. Francis de Sales sees this same beautiful scene in his writings:

Visit Jesus often in His crib, caress Him, and make him welcome in your heart.

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.            Luke 2:20