The 25th Day of Advent

Medley: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly and Away in a Manger (arr. Mark Hayes)

The 13th century Polish carol, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, while telling of the righteous Christ lowering Himself to become a baby in a manger and of the shepherds in the fields, summarizes the Christmas story: that Christ the child, who grew into the man who took on our sorrows and sins, is Lord of all and was born for our salvation. Away in a Manger continues with the theme that God was born in human flesh and humbled HImself, though He is God of the universe, the great I AM that speaks things into existence, and the great defender of Zion, to be a human baby – that does all things human except sin – in order to suffer, die, and be resurrected again all for our salvation.

Infant holy, infant lowly,
for His bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging angels singing,
bells are ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all!
Christ the babe is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping; shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you!
Christ the babe was born for you!

Away in a manager, 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 side until 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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