Cradled in a Manger, Meanly

Cradled in a man­ger

mean­ly

Laid the Son of Man His head;

Sleeping His first earth­ly slum­ber

Where the ox­en had been fed.

Happy were those shep­herds list­en­ing

To the ho­ly an­gel’s word;

Happy they with­in that sta­ble

Worshiping their in­fant Lord.

Happy all who hear the mes­sage

Of His com­ing from above;

Happier still who hail His com­ing

And with prais­es greet His love.

Blessèd Sav­ior

Christ most ho­ly

In a man­ger Thou didst rest;

Canst Thou stoop again

yet low­er

And abide with­in my breast?

Evil things are there be­fore Thee;

In the heart

where they have fed

Wilt Thou pi­ti­ful­ly en­ter

Son of Man

and lay Thy head?

Enter

then

O Christ most ho­ly;

Make a Christ­mas in my heart;

Make a heav­en of my man­ger:

It is heav­en where Thou art.

And to those who nev­er list­ened

To the mes­sage of Thy birth

Who have win­ter

but no Christ­mas

Bringing them Thy peace on earth

Send to these the joy­ful tid­ings;

By all peo­ple

in each home

Be there heard the Christ­mas an­them;

Praise to God

the Christ has come!