The answer is: Swaddling clothes

Luke 2:7 - When a Jewish child was born, it was usual for it to be washed in water, rubbed in salt and wrapped in swaddling clothes, which are bands or blankets that confined the limbs closely. (Ezek 16:4)

When Jesus arrived in the world, swaddling clothes were more than mere blankets; they carried ancient significance similar to a rite of passage! It was common practice in Jewish culture for newborns to be washed, similarly incorporating rituals found in the Hebrew Scriptures. You might remember Ezekiel, where the care for newborns symbolizes nurturing and protection, and this act implicates heritage and identity in Jewish tradition.

Now, swaddling clothes are fascinating; they not only kept the baby quiet and secure but were believed to help with limb coordination as the little one grew. Imagine families of the time weaving their cultural practices into such an important moment, linking births across generations—a piece of cultural glue!

Interestingly, the very term "swaddling" might evoke a cozy feel, but in agricultural settings, these strips of cloth were often what previous generations crafted from discarded materials. So, prophetic or not, here lies the humble beginnings of Jesus, the Son of a carpenter.

Even further, swaddling resonates well beyond Jesus’s infancy. It echoes in literature; think of modern pop culture, where we have film scenes referencing tender moments wrapped in blankets that hint at care, warmth, and security. Thus, from a holy crib in Bethlehem to portrayals even today, the tenderness of swaddling recalls a hope universally shared—the hope embodied in the awe of new beginnings!