A gallop poll in 1996 revealed the most favored Christmas Carol in North America was ‘Away in a Manger.’ You know the song and can probably sing it from memory using either of the two common tunes by Kirkpatrick (1895) or James Murray (1887). The song was originally called, ‘Luther’s Cradle Song,’ however there is no known link back to Martin Luther, instead it is now thought to be written for a church pageant commemorating Luther’s four-hundred-year anniversary of the Reformation. “Away in a manger no crib for a bed … The Cattle are lowing the poor baby wakes …” familiar lyrics and we see both manger and cattle, an ox, represented in almost all nativity scenes today.
The first ox in a nativity scene was recorded in 1415, at a Corpus Christi celebration, where baby Jesus was lying in a manger between an ox and a donkey. The reference to include an ox and donkey in the nativity comes from Isaiah 3:2, ‘An ox knows it owner, and a donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know, My people do not understand,’ as a means of subtly reinforcing Jesus as the promised Messiah. It is doubtful that a first century home in Bethlehem had an ox present but a feeding trough, a manger would be. The animals owned by the family would receive their food in the manger – a cold, stone trough affixed to the floor in the back of the house.
When born, Jesus was placed in this manger wrapped in cloths, not as food for animals, but as a safe place. Even so, there is a symbolism inherent in the act as Jesus is our spiritual food. Jesus declared in John 6:35 ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’ He said these words after he had fed over 5000 individuals, including family units, with just five small barley loaves and two fish. When the leftovers were collected, there were twelve baskets of food left over. God provided for the people, just as manna was provided in the wilderness for his people, and he continues to provide for us today, with his body having been broken on the cross, allowing us to partake of forgiveness of sin, restoration of relationship with God and life with Him forever. God even continues to nurture our spiritual lives in the present, by His grace producing transformation to be more like Christ.
We know that ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4),’ so this Christmas may we feast on God’s word and learn more of God’s love for us. When we look at a nativity, if an ox is represented, then may we say with confidence, unlike the ancient Israelites, that we know God’s word, we know Jesus and he is our Lord and Savior.
Listen now to Michael Stayner as he plays “Away In A Manger” , and join us next week in this advent series as we reflect on the character of Joseph, the man God chose to entrust with the Savior of the world.