Away in a Manger - A Second Advent Revision

“Away in a Manger” is a beautiful Christmas lullaby that lovingly communicates the humility of Christ’s incarnation and God’s tender approach toward us. One disappointment I have in the song is the traditional third verse which says, “Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.” This framing of the Christian’s hope leads us to imagine that the end of the Christian life is to die and go to heaven. Heaven is placed out “there'“ rather than “here” on earth as is anticipated in Revelation 21:1-3; the song celebrates Christ’s first advent, but neglects his second advent. Advent Christians are especially attentive to this sort of detail because Christ’s return is not an afterthought but rather an essential component of the Gospel message. Accordingly, I have composed two closing lines that pick up the hope of Christ’s Second Advent. The rest of the lyrics accord with the 1976 version of the Advent Christian hymnal (except it had cut out the third verse altogether; first half of third verse from hymnary).

1 Away in a manger, no crib for a 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 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.

3 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Return in Thy glory, oh help us prepare,
To enter Thy Kingdom and live with Thee there.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.