To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.
Video
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490gjameQIc
Story Behind
Babe in the Straw is performed by the Christian group Caedmon’s Call. This song first appeared on the Christmas album titled City On a Hill: It’s Christmas Time released in 2002.
Commentary & Analysis
This song is written from the perspective of someone observing a fragile, innocent, little baby lying in a manger and wondering how that baby could really be the Son of God sent to change the world. This is a struggle felt ‘round the world by billions of people over the last 2,000 years as they look upon Jesus and wonder, “could it really be?”
The first verse asks, “Have you come to redeem us?” Has this little baby, asleep in manager, really been sent by God to redeem his people? It seems so unlikely, but in the currency of God who works through the unimaginable, there was really nothing to be surprised by. The second verse answers the question posed in the first verse. This is the “Prince of the Universe” that the prophets of old had spoken of who would come to save God’s people. The third verse is more of a prayer recognizing that we will lose our way and asking Christ to always guide us back to him. In our lives, when we start to wonder, we should ask God to draw us back to Bethlehem, draw us back to the cross, draw us to the empty tomb – Draw us to Jesus! The Bible assures us that if we draw near to him, he will draw near to us. (James 4:8)
Questions for further Reflection / Devotion
The following questions are meant for your reflection and or devotion. Feel free to meditate on them, discuss them with your family or others or post your responses here. I would love to hear from you.
- Take a minute to ponder what your reaction might have been had you been told that a little baby lying in a manager would be the Savior of the World. Do you think it would have been all that different than the one presented in this song?
- This song speaks both of God’s mercy and his grace. God’s mercy is not giving us what we do deserve, and God’s grace is giving us what we don’t deserve. List out some examples of both God’s mercy and grace on a sheet of paper.
- Gather your family this Christmas season and discuss your testimony. How did you come to Christ? How has your life changed? Prior to your conversation did you ever “look at Jesus” and wonder, could it really be true? What convinced you?
- The song reminds us that Jesus is the “light of truth.” Think of one person to whom you could reflect the light of Jesus. How is that person? What can you do to reflect the light of Christ?
- What is one thing you can do this Christmas to draw closer to God? What areas of your life is God calling you to leave at the cross of Christ?
Lyrics
Who is this child,
Asleep in a manger?
The heavens are bright
The stable’s so cold
On this holy night,
Have you come to redeem us?
Little child in the straw
Little child in the straw
Who is this babe?
Prince of the universe
A donkey is braying
Angels are singing
The prophets did say
You would come to redeem the world
Little babe in the straw
Save us all
And if we lose sight of your sweet face
At the birth of grace, at the birth of grace
Light of truth shine like Bethlehem’s star
Lead us to where you are, show us who you are
Merciful one
Lover of every soul
The Father’s own Son
Emmanuel
Yes, we believe,
You are able to heal us
Noel, noel,
Save us all
Save us tonight (repeat)