Musical Countdown to Christmas: Away in a Manger by John T. McFarland

Welcome to day 3 in my musical countdown to Christmas. You may also be interested in reading the posts for Day 1 and Day 2. Don’t forget to leave a comment below for your chance to win!

Who was John T. McFarland?

Born January 2, 1851
Methodist Minister who served in Iowa, Illinois, Rhode Island, New York, and Kansas
Edited Sunday School Programs for the Methodist Episcopal Church

The Story behind Away in a Manger

First published in 1885 in a Lutheran Sunday School book compiled by James R. Murray
Most people say the author of the first two stanzas is unknown.
Another collection published in 1887 by James R. Murray (Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses) claimed the song was written by Martin Luther. “Luther’s Cradle Hymn, Composed by Martin Luther for his children and still sung by German mothers to their little ones.”
The carol became known in Germany AFTER it was widely known in the United States, which discounts the theory that Martin Luther wrote the first two stanzas
Third stanza was written by John T. McFarland in 1908 for use in a children’s church day program

Historical Context of the Song

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn was published
First issue of Good Housekeeping was published
Louis Pasteur developed a successful vaccine against rabies
The first bottle of Coca-cola was sold in 1886
Nikola Tesla began experimenting with x-rays

Looking for more details?

http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Holidays/holiday-songs/away-in-a-manger,-the-song-and-the-story.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3674114/The-story-behind-the-carol-Away-in-a-manger.html
http://www.lectionary.org/HymnStories/Away%20in%20a%20Manger.htm
http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/Away_in_a_Manger.aspx
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/c/mcfarland_jt.htm
http://worldhistoryproject.org/1887

My Gift for today

Enter a comment below for your chance to win “Welcome to Whit’s End” a CD with two Adventures in Odyssey stories and a bonus mini-drama.