Jesus was put in a manger that was an animal feeding trough used in ancient Israel made of stone and nothing like what you would see in a modern day nativity scene. Not comfortable, but great for protection. That’s why those who were experts in this matter like the priests would put their newborn lambs in them for protection. But not just any lamb, but the unblemished perfect lambs that were used in the sacrifice for sins. Bethlehem was famous for their unblemished lambs used for the sacrifice that had to be perfect and this is why they would wrap them tightly in cloth and lie them in the manger to keep them safe. This is exactly why the birth story of Jesus is being told to shepherds because they would have understood this powerful statement because they knew what the cloth and the manger meant.
