‘Away in a Manger, 

No crib for a Bed-

The Little Lord Jesus lay down His Sweet Head.

The Stars in the Heavens look down where He lay-

The Little Lord Jesus Asleep on the Hay.’

*The lyrics of this beloved Children’s Christmas Carol have an obscure history.  Long thought to have been written by Martin Luther for his children in the late 1400’s- with variations of the first two stanzas being referred to most often in the late 1800’s. Since that time researchers haven’t found anything like it in Luther’s Writings and could have originated with the Lutheran Church instead- it remains a mystery to this day.  Apparently, numerous publications recorded the prose in the late 1800’s right here in America. The composers of the melody have not been fully established, but all agree ‘Away in a Manger’ is thoroughly American.

Luther’s Cradle Song, as it was called- is known to have been recited in Children’s Sunday School Classes  in Nashville Tennessee in 1893. Widely acclaimed thereafter, Away in a Manger was most likely set to music in the early 1900’s using only the first two verses. Starting in 1955, when Bing Crosby recorded ‘Away in a Manger’- many well known recording artists have performed this sweet song. The Christmas carol became very popular in the United States, Great Britain and Worldwide and remains so until this day.

Whenever and however the sweet song came into being… it epitomizes the humble Heavenly Miracle Birth of the Christ Child and continues to be one of the world’s most beloved Christmas Carols. I love this Divine Lullaby, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without it.

Love y’all, Camellia

*read more about ‘Luther’s Cradle Song’  here-   *photograph is obviously mine.