Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

// Away in a Manger, Unknown Author

Every single time I hear or sing this beautiful chorus, I get emotional. The music composed by James Murray is sweetly melodious and so comforting.

The holiday season can so often be bittersweet as we grow older and we feel the weight of life’s realities and sorrows more intensely.

This chorus comes to me when I am in those moments, as it allows my feelings of sadness or being overwhelmed take flight into a song of invitation.

Invitation to Christ who came to dwell with us, in the midst of our joys, our sorrows, our everyday.

He came as Emmanuel, God with us.

I take this moment today to once again invite Him in, to be near and dwell with me just as I am.