Away in a Manger

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus, lay 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 poor baby wakes,
The little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes,
I love the Lord Jesus look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is neigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus I ask thee to stay
Close by me for ever and love me I pray
Bless all all the dear children in they tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with you there.”

The song Away in a Manger, written anonymously in the 1800, is a song that brings back sweet memories of being in Sunday School and church as a child. This was a favorite song for children to be taught and to sing in the “White Christmas Pageant “ the Sunday night before Christmas at the Church. All the children were given a coin holder and asked to fill it up with dimes for the Methodist Children’s Home in Selma, Alabama. This was the home for children who were orphaned or who did not have a relative to take care of them. It was always an exciting time to get to bring your offering card full of dimes down to the front of the church.

Today, we often take up an offering for the Children’s Home, but more than likely the money is just sent in as a contribution from the Church. There are new ways of doing things, but sometimes the old ways are still good too!

At Advent time this year, let us remember the children that Jesus has in his care, the children of the whole world! Let us remember to share our dimes and dollars to help the poor.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep us in your tender care. Keep us close to you this Advent season.

Thought for the Day: Bless the poor children of this world and the poor children right in our own congregation.