Birth of Christ
The Birth of Christ
In the outskirts of Bethlehem lies a seemingly forgotten part of the Christmas story. Migdal Eder is where the sacrificial lambs were born for temple use. These lambs were used in the Old Covenant for the Atonment of sins.
Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock, was associated with the raising of sacrificial lambs under Old Testament law. They were born, inspected, and guarded to ensure they were without blemish and suitable for temple sacrifice (Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 22:21).
When Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem, there was no room in the inn (Luke 2:7). At the same time, Mosaic law regarded a woman in active labor as ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 12:1–4). Under those conditions, lodging inside the town would have been inappropriate and likely impossible. They needed shelter immediately, and outside the populated area.
Scripture is precise about the location. Bethlehem Ephrathah is explicitly identified as the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah:
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
(Micah 5:2)
It is important to understand geography as Scripture presents it. Migdal Eder was located in Bethlehem Ephrathah, just outside the densely populated center. Much like modern cities have defined limits and surrounding outskirts, the city proper and its surrounding fields were both considered part of the same location. The tower lay within Bethlehem’s region—even though it stood beyond the town center. Biblically speaking, both were Bethlehem.
This is why Micah can speak of the tower in direct connection with the city:
“And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.”
(Micah 4:8)
The flocks were not kept in the city itself, nor were the lambing structures. Migdal Eder existed precisely for that purpose—on the outskirts, yet fully within Bethlehem Ephrathah’s domain. This fits Luke’s account exactly: outside the town, but close enough for shepherds to arrive quickly (Luke 2:8–16).
The manger itself is significant. The Greek word phatnē refers to a feeding or resting trough, often carved from stone. In lambing contexts, stone mangers were used to protect newborn lambs from harm and contamination. This explains the specificity of the angelic sign:
“Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:12)
This was not a random detail. It was a recognizable sign.
The shepherds in these fields were not ordinary laborers. At minimum, they possessed deep familiarity with what it took to raise a spotless, sacrificial lamb. Many have reasonably concluded these were priestly or Levitically informed shepherds—entrusted with flocks intended for temple use. This explains why they immediately understood the message and went with haste (Luke 2:15–16).
The theological precision is unmistakable.
The Lamb of God was born in Bethlehem Ephrathah, at the Tower of the Flock—
outside the city center, yet still Bethlehem.
Wrapped.
Laid in a manger.
Announced first to those who understood sacrifice.
The New Testament makes the meaning explicit:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
(John 1:29)
And it fulfills what was spoken long before:
“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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
(Isaiah 9:6)
“…and he shall save his people from their sins.”
(Matthew 1:21) Jesus name, Yeshua, means “salvation”
The child born at Bethlehem Ephrathah, at Migdal Eder, came to take away the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:26)
God made an overwhelmingly LOUD statement when He sent the LAMB, Jesus aka the rock, to be born on a rock, in a special place prepared perfectly for sacrificial lambs. God is a mighty God. When He fulfills His Word this specifically, this should be a sign for how we can trust His promises all the more. Merry Christmas! Jesus is the reason for the season.
