Music of the Season – Once in Royal David’s City

Greetings Dear Reader,

This song, originally written as a poem for children, did not come to my attention until another song referenced it.  I had heard it every year but never given it any attention.  It is often performed by choirs and rarely by an individual.  For some reason my mind finds a contrast between the humility of the words and the pomp of royal choirs singing this song whilst dressed in finery.

I need to remember the humility that was the beginning of the incarnation.  I need to recall the simplicity with which Jesus entered the world.  I must remember that the meekness that Christ wishes me to live is rooted in his human beginning.  It is the humanity of Christ that makes him approachable for our reclamation. 

Once in Royal David’s City – Cecil Francis Humphreys Alexander

Once in royal David's city

Stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her Baby

In a manger for His bed:

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven,

Who is God and Lord of all,

And His shelter was a stable,

And His cradle was a stall;

With the poor, and mean, and lowly,

Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And through all His wondrous childhood

He would honor and obey,

Love and watch the lowly maiden,

In whose gentle arms He lay:

Christian children all must be

Mild, obedient, good as He.

For he is our childhood's pattern;

Day by day, like us He grew;

He was little, weak and helpless,

Tears and smiles like us He knew;

And He feeleth for our sadness,

And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,

Through His own redeeming love;

For that Child so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heaven above,

And He leads His children on

To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,

With the oxen standing by,

We shall see Him; but in heaven,

Set at God's right hand on high;

Where like stars His children crowned

All in white shall wait around

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."