Kneeling In the Stable

"What Do I Want For Christmas?"

by Ann Weems, "Kneeling in Bethlehem"

"What do I want for Christmas?

I want to kneel in Bethlehem,

the air thick with alleluias, the angels singing

that God is born among us. 

In the light of the Star,

I want to see them come, 

the wise ones and the humble.

I want to see them come

bearing whatever they treasure

to lay at the feet of him who gives his life.

What do I want for Christmas?

To see in that stable

the whole world kneeling in thanks

for a promise kept: new life.

For in his nativity

we find ours." 

For as long as I can remember "Away in a Manger" has been sung by the children during the annual Christmas program. When I was a child, I remember my knees knocking in front of the full church as I whisper-sang the words I'd been taught. Every year after we sang it again and again. When I was a young mother I taught it to my boys. When I taught Sunday school and helped with the Christmas program, "Away in a Manger" was always sung by the youngest children. Actions were often added, also.

I remember a time when I didn't like to sing the song because I felt it was too childish. Then as I aged, "Away in a Manger" became beloved once again. How could 65+ years of "Away in a Manger" be discarded as immature? The "children's carol" or "Cradle Song" was written in 1885 by a source unknown. The third stanza was credited to Dr. John Thomas McFarland who added the line for a children's program in the early 1900's.

 Sing along as you read the familiar words to "Away in a Manger."

"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 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."

 "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:6-7 NIV).

O Gracious and Loving God, we lift our arms in praise for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Awaken us to the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus. Help us keep our focus in the stable and remembering what we truly want this Christmas. With eternal thankfulness, we pray, Amen.