The Swaddling Cloth

This Christian story for early readers ties together the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ with one important object-the swaddling cloth Mary used as Jesus's first baby blanket.

Mary has woven a special cloth for the birth of her son, and she frantically searches for it as the moment approaches. When he is born, Mary wraps her precious bundle in the soft linen, keeping him warm in the barn.

Jesus grows and takes on his mantle as savior of humankind, and we rejoin Mary just before the Crucifixion. Once again, she searches desperately for the cloth as she and the disciples prepare to follow Christ to the Place of the Skull.

Mary thinks back on the life of the Son of God-her son-as she wraps his body once more in this special cloth. But when she goes to prepare his body for burial, a miracle has occurred

Jesus has risen, and there in his empty tomb is the proof: the cloth She shows it to everyone, rejoicing in the life and love of Christ.