Away in the Manger

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.

This carol describes Jesus being born in a manger. It was not born in a manger as we have marketed in our culture today. A manger is a feeding trough for animals. It was the place they would place hay and grain and scraps for the horses, cows, and other animals to eat. It was in this place that Jesus was placed as a baby. So the line no crib for a bed is a major reflection of the lowly estate into which Jesus was born. Very likely it was outside or at best a cave dug out of the rocky hillside. Jesus entered into this world the same way as we do, as a baby.

This enables Him to relate to every human being who ever lived. You see in every religion there is major disconnect between the creator and the creation. Jesus’ birth makes us understand that God understands us. This is only true in Christianity. The Son of God, the way into a relationship to God, a way is born in a manger.

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 til morning is nigh.

This is a very interesting verse because it sounds so sweet. But have you ever known a baby that never cried? I believe Jesus cried as a baby. I have heard the joke that only person who likes change is a baby and even then they cry about it. I wonder if our complaining about change as adults is a carry over of us still being a baby.

He was wrapped in cloths. This was a sign of this social and economic status of Joseph and Mary. They had no money. They would never have any money. They had no home.they were country hicks to the world around them.

The song takes a personal turn in the next line. And stay by my cradle until morning is nigh. It is a personal request for Jesus to be near, to stay close by while we sleep.

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.

This is a prayer we hope all of our children will pray. It is a prayer hopefully all of us have prayed. It is not only a prayer about me but about other children. It is prayer of blessing upon them.

The last line of this carol is the application. And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there. The purpose of Jesus coming into the world was to make us right before God. We cannot make ourselves right, we need Jesus. These bodies were not made to last forever but our souls are going to. What are 70, 80, 90 even 100 years, when compared to the trillion of years our souls will live? This life is preparation for that.

Are you fit for heaven? Have you allowed God to forgive you through Jesus Christ, the baby in the manger? Do you know that heaven is going to be your home? That is why Jesus came.

Jesus came to fit us for heaven. To make us ready, to make us right. Are you ready? Are you right with God?

See you in Worship – Pastor John