Christian Reflection and Prayer

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 forever,
And love my I pray.

Bless all the dear children,
In thy tender care.
And take them to heaven,
To be with thee there.



The Story of "Away in a Manger"

In 1224, St. Francis of Assisi
was dealing with a dilemma. The
message of Christ's birth had
become so intellectual that it was
aloof and dogmatic. "It must be
simplified so that it might appeal
to the heart of the common people,
" he decided. Then a he had an idea.
"Why not dramatize the Christmas
story? The common folk will then be
able to better understand the meaning
of Christmas."

So he had a nativity scene and all
the trappings of a stable placed in his
church. On Christmas Eve, the people
came to the church, and saw Joseph,
Mary, and the precious baby Jesus.
The people were so excited! Christmas
had never seemed so real to them.

Since that time, the manger has become
one of the main symbols of Christmas.
One of the best known songs concerning
it is "Away in a Manger." This song was
generally referred to as "Luther's Cradle
Hymn." In 1887, the song was printed in
North America, with the heading,
"Composed by Martin Luther for his
children, and still sung by German
mothers to their little ones." The author
of the lyrics has never been verified, and
the source of the tune is still unknown.
Some say it may have been written by a
member of a German Lutheran colony
from Pennsylvania.