I have been reviewing some modern worship songs, but I’ve taken a break to explore some Advent and Christmas hymns. 😀. Just when you think Christmas is over, you remind yourself that December 25th is the first of the 12 days of Christmas. So, I’ll wait until January 7th to go back to normal hymns.
Today, I’ve chosen See He Lies There in the Manger .
This isn’t an old or well-known hymn. What impresses me about it is that it’s written by someone who I actually met, Graham Harrison, who lectured me in systematic theology back in the early 1990s.
Graham Harrison passed away in 2013. I was always impressed with his lecturing and preaching. I was aware that he edited Christian Hymns, the hymn book that we used in our fellowship in Tipperary. I only recently realized that he also wrote some hymns. I just wish that there were more like him. And perhaps there are others who are capable of writing hymns in a traditional style. Timothy Dudley‑Smith is an example. Here are a couple that he wrote:
Many Christmas hymns stick to the Christmas story, which is fine. But I also like those that move into the later life of Jesus. For See He Lies There in the Manger, the third verse is particularly special to me:
Now they worship and adore Him,
As they hear the baby's cries;
But the crowds will mock and scorn Him,
As He helpless hangs and dies.
Christ incarnate, come to save us,
Rid our hearts of wretched pride;
Reign alone as Sovereign o'er us-
You are worthy! You have died!
It reminds me of a part of the Christmas story that isn’t often spoken about, from Luke 2. Joseph and Mary meet two godly Jewish people at the temple, Anna and Simeon.
Here is the account of what Simeon said:
Isaiah 9:6-7
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him. 34 Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
In verse 35, the prophecy touches on what Mary must have felt as she stood near her son on the cross. I don’t know how much Mary knew about what was to come. I’m sure she was aware of how godly people, such as he prophets, were treated in the Old Testament.
Here’s another hymn that links the birth of Jesus with his later life:
Hibernia Gospel 