14 Songs of Christmas – (5) Away In A Manger.
Humble beginnings. Place of birth does not define your future, but it may enhance it. Often times the greatest leaders don’t wander too far from the very common. The humble. The meek. “Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, Close by me forever, And love me I pray”.
Before I get to the song, let me explain this 14 day run of Christmas Songs posted here. There is a reason for the season, and there is a reason for this 14 Days of Christmas Songs project as well.
Last May (2021) my younger brother suffered and lost his battle against cancer. I still haven’t completely grasped the idea that I have outlived a younger sibling. I still struggle with our loss. I still remain as a big brother to a pair of siblings and one brother now in heaven. I think of him constantly. He and I were both big fans of each other and of Christmas. We loved being with our family, especially during this time of the year.
My brothers and I shared a room until I was old enough to move out of the house. Even though it has been many years since those days, the bonds we made and shared back then have always remained. That is something that no one could ever take away from us, even with one of us no longer here.
For some months now, I have been thinking of writing more about music, about lyrics, and about the connections that music makes for us all in so many ways. This December I decided to do my 14 Songs of Christmas. My late brother’s favorite number was 14. A lot of folks knew my brother as #14. Since there are 12 days of Christmas, I figured I would come up with a different number for the songs of Christmas. 14 of them, or so.
Away In A Manger. (Celtic Woman)
Growing up in our house there was a record player in the living room and that was my favorite room, by far, once the Christmas decorations were up. There were Christmas records playing often in the living room and I would listen to the songs as I played with toys on the floor (or with little green Army men in the tree branches). There is no question, that home was, and still is, my favorite place to be at Christmas.
Many times I just sat on the heater/radiator and gazed at the lights and reflections of the decorations on the Christmas tree, while I dreamed boy’s dreams. Or perhaps I stared through the front window into the night, looking past the electric candle, and searching the skies for any hints of snow.
Sometimes, I still long to be that little kid sitting next to a frosty window, the only light in the room being the glow of our simple Christmas scene. Hearing my Mom in the kitchen and my Dad coming in from the cold night after another day working in the ministry of his calling. Siblings coming in and out, but mostly me solely focused on the songs, the words, and the reason for Christmas. Dreaming my dreams, without knowing that I was learning the tools to cope, to self-sooth, and to be calm.
Knowing that on Christmas morning, I would wake up and go downstairs with my brothers to meet Mom and Dad and my little sister at the base of the Christmas tree. We would always hear the story of that first Christmas, read from the Bible by my Dad. Oh, to go back in time to relearn what I have already learned and be more present.
Thank you for sticking with me. Music is awesome! There is something for everyone. Merry Christmas!
The 14 Songs of Christmas Series so far:
15) Songs of Christmas – Bonus Day Mix
14) Songs of Christmas – The Angels Cried
13) Songs of Christmas – Whoville Medley
12) Songs of Christmas – Walking In The Air
11) Songs of Christmas – Please Come Home For Christmas
10) Songs of Christmas – Blue Christmas
09) Songs of Christmas – Joy To The World
08) Songs of Christmas – Oh Come All Ye Faithful
07) Songs of Christmas – Spirit Of Christmas
06) Songs of Christmas – Mary’s Boy Child