Away In A Manger

In Luke 2:7, we read:  "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn."

There is probably no Christmas song that is more loved than this sweet and tender Christmas carol.  It is usually thought of as a children's song, but it is loved by old and young alike.
 
For some time, it was entitled "Luther's Cradle Hymn" because it was thought to have been written by Martin Luther for his own children, and then passed on by German mothers.  However, according to Kenneth Osbeck, modern research discounts this claim.  The first two stanzas first appeared in the "Little Children's Book" published in Philadelphia in 1885.  The third verse was written by a Methodist minister, Dr. John McFarland, in the early 1900's when an additional stanza was desired for a children's day program.
Let these sweet words minister to your heart as you meditate upon them through the week:

     "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."

And this Christmas --- let us not forget the words of Jesus:
       ""Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."