Cartoon Reflection: Christmas is in the Air
Published by Matt Glover December 17th, 2006 in Cartoons & Cartoonists
Call me an old Scrooge if you like, but I cannot stand the Christmas carol “Away in a Manger.”
I didn’t mind it up until four years ago. Then my son was born and I realised that the sterile and serene image painted in this song was not even close to the reality of that first Christmas. The baby would have stank and screamed just like any other - probably even more so if he had to deal with animal farts, shepherds and Magi interupting sleep all night.
Anyway, now I just wince every time I hear it…!
YOU OLD SCROOGE!
I’m with you Matt (although it’s not something I’ve had quite the same level of experience with). But the beauty of the incarnation seems to me to be in the messiness and the humanness of God being fitted into a child. A pooey, crying, smelly child. Say no to “Away in a manger”!
Cynic. I agree with Lily. Whats the bet you cop a visit from a few ghosts this Sunday night?
Ha. Santa is coming on Saturday night here.
Because I’m extra good.
Blah humbug.
You know, I read this offline and came back online just to refute you.
I don’t think it’s “Away in a Manger” aka “Jesus was so perfect he wasn’t human”- it’s celebrating the form of Jesus as a babe. And while babies do scream and cry, I’m sure you remember the cute “awww… he’s asleep” and the quiet times with fondness. (If they are real screamers, then the quiet moments have that extra golden feel)
Check out the lyrics - it doesn’t say- “no crying he makes- ever (duh he’s God incarnate, you know…)” I think it’s talking about a particular time, not in general.
It’s a very reassuring lullaby- you aren’t allowed to diss it, you old scrooge.
And: I’ll let you off the hook this time since you’re a youth pastor and wouldn’t know, but the magi (tradition says three) showed up some time after the birth- the young family were living in a house then (Matthew 2:11). Also: milk fed bubs have less offensive smelling poo and spew, right? Shepherds live with their sheep so wouldn’t grudge a baby a little smell- newborn bub smell at that! The animals would smell worse.
Sure, Jesus came as a real live human, but it wasn’t horrible- it was special.
im betting the father had worse smells than the baby. At least, In matt’s case.
Last line of the third stanza Titanium girl - “No crying he makes” just after he has been woken up?! I don’t think so…
Rubbish I say!
But, I will give you the Magi thing. They’re astrologers who probably had a two year trip to see the child. Unlikely they ever saw Jesus as a baby. AS for the ‘you’re only a youth pastor’ jibe, you’ll get a wedgie for that when I see you next…;)
Baby smells. All the books say it shouldn’t smell bad, but they lie. You don’t know what a foul smell is until you’ve had baby sick, pooh and wee all over you in one go.
I still wouldn’t trade my kids for anything though!
Not even a red ten speed bike? Id do anything for a red ten speed bike.
Nah - still got my read ten speed from when I was thirteen.