Cradle Song

“Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and take us to heaven to live with Thee there.”

Tiny shepherds and angels enter and gaze at the roughhewn manger where the baby lays. Parents and grandparents smile as they observe their little actors tell the nativity story.  Then, they sing. . . 

Children define much of my life.  As a grandmother, Sunday School teacher, family ministry leader, and children’s message presenter in worship, little ones are on my heart.  They are on Jesus’ heart too and Away in a Manger is one of the first songs many kids learn to sing about Him.  For some children, Christmas is the time when their family worships together.  Christmas services and Sunday School pageants often include Away in a Manger whose lyrics tell the story of baby Jesus’ birth and first cradle, a lowly manger.  The words of the song assure little ones that He now continues to watch over them and one day will take them to heaven.

Just as little Jesus was vulnerable and dependent on his earthly parents, these precious little ones depend on their earthly parents too.  Parents are often the first to introduce their children to Jesus and His tender care and to let them know He wants to take them to heaven one day.

This sweet cradle song’s powerful message of hope about the One whose cradle was a lowly manger is as perfect for these littlest ones as it is for us all.

Do you know a child who needs to hear the story of Jesus’ birth?  Read the Christmas nativity story from Luke 2:1-20 to them.  Play Away in a Manger for them and talk about Jesus’ first cradle.

Post originally shared through Body & Soul® Fitness. See more at Body & Soul® Fitness IMPACT