Skip to content

Christmas Carols

I love Christmas carols. When I was a child we would sing them at school, as we prepared for our Christmas festival, Hope, Joy and Peace, expressed in different songs, felt comforting.

Probably because of my absence from shopping, I hardly ever hear them. I know some folks get tired of them playing on the stores’ sound systems. I don’t have a T.V. so I don’t hear them there, either. If I want to hear a Christmas carol, I’ve got to sing it. This is my favorite:
“Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay
The cattle are lowing the baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes
I love thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.”
As I grew older I didn’t like Christmas music, but now I do. They hold lots of memories. The melodies are simple yet compelling, and easy to harmonize with. Anyone can sing along. I also find hidden meanings.
From humble beginnings a King was born. Why cows, hay and a manger? Because all of humanity is dependant on cattle, who keep the earth fertile. The shepherds were the first to visit, after the cows. The gazing of herd and flocks is obviously important than the gifts of the Magi.
You can’t grow food in gold. Only by the tending of farm animals can we keep our soils fertile and full of humus. Hay, cattle and the manger where the manure is collected, is where we would expect the savior to be born. This is where the new life for our fields is created. Holy Cow!
100,000 pounds of vegetables were grown and sent off the farm this year. Rotted cow manure made it possible. By using it to build soil humus, the farm produces despite nature’s adversities.
During the short days of winter solstice, we barely have time to get a few chores done. Feeding the cows and making compost are the number one jobs now. The new light born in our mangers will save the world. Humus rich soil grows healthy food to make healthy people.
By Christmas the days start getting longer, the sun stays in the sky a little more each day.  In a few months the earth will stir, and we will witness the resurrection of plant growth in spring.  And the more composted cow manure we spread, the greater the glory of the garden will be.  It’s enough to make you want to sing. Peace, love and joy to all you throughout the holidays and throughout the year.