Away in a Manger

1    Away in a manger, no crib for his 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.

2    The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,
    but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
    I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
    and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

3    Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
    close by me forever and love me, I pray.
    Bless all the dear children in your tender care
    and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.

Text: North American, anonymous, 19th cent. 
Prayer: Bless all the dear children
In Your tender care
And fit us for heaven
To live with You there
Hymns evoke deep-seated memories spanning my life, and Away in a Manger has accumulated many memories over the years. I remember advent services where we sang this in pews with dim lights. I reflect on my time singing in the church children's choir, loudly, not tenderly, and the pride of being part of the service. I recollect high school, where our church had a drive-through nativity, and this hymn played while people waited for hot cocoa and considered the actors posing. As an adult, I wondered what Mary was thinking after giving birth in a manger with no crib. Did Jesus have a sweet-smelling head? Did she snuggle him under the stars?
These days I connect to the verse I share as a prayer; our world constantly has crises and upheaval, and I pray blessings for all humankind. I wish all had calm, clear, crisp, love-filled evenings where all you want to do is stare at the stars and snuggle. This hymn evokes a feeling of love, excitement, and peace that I believe happens when we are held in God's love. I wish us all to be blessed with God's love as we dream of the day we live in heaven. 
Whatever your memory, services, children's choir, pageants, childbirth, or lovely clear sky nights, I hope you sing or hum this song with an eye for passing on the love of God.