Away in a manger 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 You, Lord Jesus look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

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.

For over 100 years many children – and adults! – have sung this delightful Christmas carol. It is not based on sweet sentiment or emotion; it is not an articulate poet conjuring up an imaginative dream. It is based on a historical fact: the birth of Jesus Christ and recorded in Luke’s Gospel chapter 2 verse 7: ‘And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn’.

The Son, God’s Son had come, ‘The Father has sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world’

1 John chapter 4 verse 14. And God’s Son came to a manger, a public place for all to see, all to approach. He lived in a small village, He worked and moved amongst ordinary folks. He came for us – for you – and He would give His life to be the Saviour we all need.

In Matthew’s Gospel chapter 1 verse 23 we are told one of Christ’s names was Immanuel which means ‘God with us’. Wherever you are today, with family, friends or on your own, you need not be alone: Immanuel has come, God with us, to give us a certain and eternal future.

Today, Christmas Day, please read the wonderful record in Luke’s Gospel chapter 2 in the Bible. Come back again for another Message of Hope.