By now I think the baby Jesus would have been moved out of the manger, and into a cradle in a rented house, where the Wise Men found him. But the manger is such an enduring symbol of Christmas, and I want to hold on to this Christmas a little longer–because I pray for its spirit to work all year long, every day.
So here is Away in a Manger, sung by the Lutheran Warbler.
The wise men who travelled all that distance from the east most assuredly were more than three; rather a camel caravan (for safety and for transporting their needs for the trip). These were, no doubt, the “wise men” who had served with Daniel many years earlier.(their descendants)
Herod desired to destroy all boys of age 2 or under and yes, they found him and his parents in their home, not in the manger.
I make this comment on the 11th Day of Christmas (eleven pipers piping = the faithful eleven apostles). My favorite part of “Away in a Manger” is the lyric “and love me I pray.” Sometimes it seems hard to understand how God could love a sinner such as me.
Yes–one may well ask, “What does He see in us?” And I think what he sees is the image of Jesus Christ, His Son.