This week’s post is reprinted from December 24, 2012. Obviously, the
photo was not taken during my childhood but is from a trip back to Tiree with
my brothers in 2017. Daddy did preach at this church, however.
“Child in the Manger”
Another carol I learned in Scotland is “Child in the Manger,” written in Gaelic by Mary Macdonald and translated into English by Lachlan Macbean. It is sung to a Gaelic melody now called Bunessan.
This carol needs no introduction and no explanation. Here it is.
Child in the manger,
Infant of Mary;
Outcast and stranger,
Lord of all!
Child who inherits
All our trangressions,
All our demerits
On Him fall.
Once the most holy
Child of salvation
Gently and lowly
Lived below;
Now, as our glorious
Mightly Redeemer,
See Him victorious
O’er each foe.
Prophets foretold Him,
Infant of wonder;
Angels behold Him
On His throne;
Worthy our Savior
Of all their praises;
Happy forever
Are His own.*
__________
* As printed in The Church Hymnary, Revised Edition (Oxford University Press, 1927).
