when you look into the manger
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What would you see if you looked into the manger?TRANSCRIPT
When You Look Into The Manger
By
Rose Betcher
The inns were full, the streets were bareThe night was dark, no one aware
That soon the world, would see His SonThe One on whom all hopes were hung
A tiny light begins to shine
Of royal men, from far awayThey’ll bring their homage here today
From out the east, there is a line
A sound is heard, so faint but clear
The shepherds turn as it draws near
Their fears aroused, they shrink in fright
But still they watch the gleaming sight
While in a stable, unawarethere waits a humble, quiet pairThe time is coming, oh so nearFor soon their baby will appear
The star has found its’ place of rest
The wise men hurry to the west
The shepherds lift their faces highAs angels’ voices fill the sky
Then all with one accord they turn And rush to tell of what they’ve learned
The mother groans in great travail
She holds fast to the angel’s tale
A promise that this lowly birthWill bring
redemption to the earth
As Joseph paced outside the doorNot quite knowing what’s in store
The camel bells draw closer stillThe shepherds hasten from the hill
A silence, then a baby’s cryThe star glows brighter in the sky
The father greets his brand new son,The mother knows that He’s the One
But how can one so soft and smallRepay the debt of Adam’s fall?
Upon a bed of hay He laysThe sky is brightening towards the day
The courtyard fills with sudden guestsA sense of peace upon them rests
With gifts in hand, they
gather roundAnd for a time,
there’s not a sound
The shepherds meekly come
and kneelAs awe and joy are all they feel
“Christ is born”, the angels singThe blessed good tidings do they bring
The world still slumbers, unawareThat He is here, our sins to bear.
Can you see Him, sleeping nowAs the wise men humbly bow?
Does the scene seem oh so sweet,As the shepherds come to greet
The Babe they heard proclaimed that nightIn song and with a glorious light?
Would you like to have been there?Would you kneel and gently stare
As our Lord lay sound asleepSurrounded by those little sheep?
What would you see on that cold night?Just a child in sweet respite?
Or would you see a newborn kingWith God’s great gift of love to bring?
Would you see the price God paid
To let His Son go, unafraid
Into a world of hate and greed
To live a life of hard pressed need
No home to rest, no easy way
With not a place, His head to lay?
Would you see the scorn receivedAs Satan strives, and man’s deceived?
Would you see the role He’d playTo take us all back home one day?
And would you look into your
soul
And see your need to be
made whole?
Would you shed the sin and dross?
When you look in the manger,Would you see the cross?