Advent Day Eight: Be near me, Lord Jesus

(Shepherd Jonathan getting acquainted with Baby Jesus 

at Friendship Group Christmas party, December 2011)

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 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 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.

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I'm not sure I have much that's original to say about this sweet Christmas song.  I always loved it when I was a child and I still do, though now as an adult it's hard not to smile at the line "no crying He makes" -- as if there would be something inappropriate about the Baby Jesus crying.  But it rhymes too nicely to make a big theological point about it.  In any case, the simple prayer asking Jesus to be close to us and to bless all children in His care is one any of us can pray -- and it's the kind of prayer I'm sure He loves to hear and to answer.