In a Byre Near Bethlehem

In a byre near Bethlehem
Passed by many a wandering stranger
The most precious Word of Life
Was heard gurgling in a manger
For the good of us all.

I look forward to singing this song each Christmas. It’s probably my favourite. We sung it this week at our ‘Seekers and Dreamers’ carol event at our local theatre.

I ponder again on ‘The most precious Word of Life was heard gurgling in a manger,’ expressing the miracle and the mystery of the Christmas story…

By the Galilean Lake
Where the people flocked for teaching
The most precious Word of Life
Fed their mouths as well as preaching
For the good of us all

The baby in a manger grew up to be an engaging teacher, a worker of miracles, wonderful counsellor, inspirational leader. He healed the sick, challenged the religious, doing good ‘for the good of all.’

Quiet was Gethsemane
Camouflaging priest and soldier
The most precious Word of Life
Took the world’s weight on His shoulder
For the good of us all.

The baby, born to be king with ‘the government on his shoulders’ now ‘took the world’s weight on his shoulder…’

On the hill of Calvary
Place to end all hope of living
The most precious Word of Life
Breathed His last and died, forgiving
For the good of us all.

Christmas leads to Easter; the new-born baby in a manger was brutally executed on a cross. It’s two sides of the same coin, two scenes in the same drama; the Prince of Peace dies forgiving.

In a garden, just at dawn
Near the grave of human violence
The most precious Word of Life
Cleared His throat and ended silence
For the good of us all

The baby ‘gurgling in a manger’ is the living ‘precious Word of Life’ who’s ‘here when we call him.’ I ponder again on this ‘Word of Life’ who comes to bring ‘health, love and laughter’ this Christmas ‘for the good of us all’.

And He’s here when we call Him
Bringing health, love, and laughter
To life now and ever after
For the good of us all