Christmas 2022: Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes, Lying in a Manger

St. Luke repeats two details for us: That the newborn Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (this latter detail Luke repeats thrice. The Church Fathers, attentive to this seemingly intentional repetition, saw in these two details at the beginning of Christ's life a prophesy of how his life would be culminate -- in his handing over his body through his dying and becoming food for his believers. This prophetic imagery is fulfilled today at our Christmas (literally, "Christ's Mass) Liturgy.