Long, Long Ago in Manger Low

Long

long ago in man­ger low

Was cra­dled from above

A lit­tle child

in whom God smiled

A Christ­mas gift of love;

When hearts were bit­ter and un­just

And cru­el hands were strong

The noise He hushed with hope and trust

And peace be­gan her song.

Where’er the Fa­ther’s Christ­mas gifts

Seem on­ly frost and snow

And anx­ious stress and lone­li­ness

And po­ver­ty and woe;

Straightway pro­vide a wel­come wide

Nor won­der why they came;

They stand out­side our hearts and bide

And knock in Je­sus’ name.

For trou­ble

cold

and drea­ry care

Are an­gels in dis­guise

And greet­ed fair

with trust and pray­er

As peace and love they rise;

They are the man­ger

wide and low

In which a Christ child lies;

O wel­come Guest

Thy cra­dle nest

Is al­ways God’s sur­prise.