Sing Christmas Dec 10

Away in a manger

no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus

laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky

looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus

asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing,

the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus
no crying he makes.

I love thee, Lord Jesus!

Look down from the sky,
and stay by my side

until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus;

I ask thee to stay
close by me for ever,

and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children

in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven

to live with thee there.

Author uncertain – see below!

Who wrote this carol? No one is sure. The first two verses seems to have first appeared in the May 1884 issue of The Myrtle, a periodical of the Universalist Publishing House in Boston, Massachusetts. They were then printed in an 1885 Lutheran children’s hymn book, on the 400^th anniversary of Martin Luther’s death, which may have been why people started attributing the carol to Luther himself. The third verse was added either by William James Kirkpatrick, who first arranged it, or Dr John McFarland. Whatever the truth, it has become staple fare for any children’s nativity service or play.

If you are from the USA this tune, called Mueller, may be more familiar to you.

It is a bedtime prayer, a classic lullaby, full of comforting images. The idea that “the little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes” is rather unrealistic – no real human baby is like that – but perhaps it reflects the universal prayer of tired parents for an undisturbed night’s sleep!

It endures, despite its rather saccharine tone, because its central hope is one that is basic to people of all ages; that we are not alone, but watched over by someone who loves us.

·         Do you recall your parents singing lullabies to you? Did you / do you sing lullabies to your own children if you have them?

·         There is an ancient prayer for those “who watch or wait or weep this night.” What has kept you awake at nights? How do you deal with sleeplessness and the fears that often provoke it?

Bible Reading: Cast all your cares on God, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5.7