Away in a Manger

When we were small, we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. I am told that it was a German tradition carried by my father's side of the family.  We loved it...nighttime is such a magical time.  My Dad would take us for a ride in the car to look at all of the beautiful lights in the neighborhood, and while we were away Santa would come. Every year it was the same until there was no longer any little children to take for the ride. We would open our gifts...always a new nightgown for me and a doll, a puzzle and a game, a book and of course socks and underwear!  But always one thing to delight each of us...how parents love to delight their children!! While we opened our gifts, we would snack on special appetizers and cookies.  This was the only time I remember that we could eat in the living room!!  One of our favorites was my Mom's Salmon Ball which she served with various little crackers.

Salmon Ball

• 1 can of pink salmon, skin and bones removed
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 2 t. grated onion
• 1 t. horseradish
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1/2 t. liquid smoke

Mix it all together and shape it into 2 balls on waxed paper. Roll the balls in 1/2 cup chopped pecans mixed with 1 T. minced parsley.  This spread is best made a couple of days in advance so that the flavors can blend. I wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

One year when our children were little, we played a little game during the Advent season to get ready for Baby Jesus to come. I made a little manger to put on a table where the children could reach it easily. Next to the manger was a basket of little pieces of straw. If the children did an unseen kindness for someone, they could place a piece of straw on the manger to make the Babe's bed ready for his arrival. I remember that being a very fun Advent time with much sneaking around! On Christmas morning, the tiny Baby Jesus was asleep on their bed of hay!

One of the first Christmas songs our little ones learned was, of course, the favorite of all little children:

Away in the Manger.  Stanzas one and two first appeared in the Little Children's Book published in 1885.  The third verse was written by a pastor in the early 1900's to be used  in a children's program.

Away in a manger, no crib for  a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; the stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing; the Baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; I love Thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray; bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

"And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn" Luke 2:7

"Let every heart a manger be."

Peace,

Diana.