The concept of "swaddle" has been brought to our attention lately.  Gary and I have observed members of our family as they have "swaddled" their baby before bed each night.  Grasping the true meaning behind the idea, we understood once it was explained a baby is bound in order that they do not wake themselves during the night by sudden movements of the arms to the face.  When you view a baby bound from the neck to the toes, you feel as though you need to release them....maybe they are uncomfortable or feel encased.  However, this precious little one smiles and gently closes her eyes to sometimes ten to twelve hours of sleep.  

The concept was taught in Australia when our cousins first became parents several years ago.  They are now swaddling baby number three and all their girls were great sleepers as babies.  The swaddling was discontinued around month six of their lives, but this youngest baby is going on eight months old and cries when she's not bound for the night.  

So I began thinking about the word "swaddle."  The only time I've ever heard the word used was in scripture after Jesus was born.  In Luke 2, verses 4-7 the term was used in older translations; "...Mary brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes.." 

Since I believe every thing written in the Bible has a significance, then this concept of swaddling wasn't thrown into the story of the birth of Jesus as an afterthought.  So, let's dig a little deeper.  Webster's defines the word "swaddle" as "to bind" or "to wrap up."  Isn't that the perfect picture of how we are to be in our relationship with the Son of God?  Aren't we to be so bound in our love, so wrapped up in our knowledge and desire of Christ, that nothing else can possibly weasel its way between us?  Some might think....whoa, that's way too enthusiastic about your work for Jesus or that's way to close for comfort.. or perhaps friends might comment, don't you feel too encased, too bound in your Christian life?

Personally, my desire is for others to see so much evidence of Christ in me that I would hear the comment, "Christ certainly has Cookie swaddled in His arms!"  Hope all of you enjoy your day and that you will revisit the word "swaddle".

A little "shout out" to my hubby today.  We mark the 31st anniversary of our first date, March 3, 1979.  Ironically, it was a blind date that we both wanted to cancel, but God of course had different plans.  I love you, Gary....