Daily Devotion
Away
in a Manger
By
Kenneth W. Osbeck
The shepherds had an angel
The wise men had a star
But what
have I, a little child,
To guide me home from far,
Where glad stars sing
together
And singing angels are?
Christ watches me, His little lamb,
Cares
for me day and night,
That I may be His own in heaven;
So angels clad
in white
Shall sing their "Glory, glory,"
For my sake in the height.
~ Christina
Rossetti
No Christmas song is more loved than this tender
children's carol. With its simply worded expression of love for the Lord Jesus
and trust in His faithful care, the hymn appeals to young and old alike. It is
usually one of the first Christmas songs learned in early childhood; yet its pleasing
melody and gentle message preserve it in our affections all through life.
For
some time Away in the Manger was titled Luther's Cradle Hymn. It was thought
to have been written by Martin Luther for his own children and then passed on
by German mothers. Modern research discounts this claim, however. Stanzas one
and two first appeared in the Little Children's Book, published in Philadelphia
in 1885. The third verse was written by a Methodist minister, John T. McFarland,
in the early 1900s when an additional stanza for this carol was desired for use
at a church children's day program. How important it is that we take time
to help our children see beyond the glitter of the Christmas season and teach
them the true meaning of Christ's birth. The most thrilling story ever known to
man began in Bethlehem at Christmas.
"Away in
a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
the stars in the 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 cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord
Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
bless
all the dear children in Thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with
Thee there."
Adapted from Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions
Copyright 2002, Kregel Publications. Used
with permission.
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