Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: new-age
Song Meaning of “Away in a Manger / The First Noel” by Christine Brown
This beloved Christmas carol is often associated with religious themes—given its title and lyrical references to Jesus. In Away in a Manger / The First Noel, Christine Brown highlights the familiar story of Jesus, the son of God, being born in a manager in Bethlehem. She also emphasizes this event’s powerful message of hope and joy for humanity.
The song starts by stating that Jesus was away in a manger, “lowly, and meek”. This imagery of Jesus being born in humble circumstances serves to remind us of the power of God’s love being revealed even in the most extreme depths and poverty. We might also interpret this line as symbolizing the inherent human dignity and potential which lies even within our lowest moments and states of being.
The song then moves on to describing the star which shone that fateful night, and the visitors who came to pay tribute to this miraculous child, bringing frankincense, gold, and a wish for peace on Earth. This important story is a reminder of the divine miracles that surround us, whether human or celestial. The chorus then takes up the refrain of “The first Noel, the angels did say”. Considering that angels are a representation of higher realms of existence and knowledge, this line can be seen as representing the idea that the birth of Jesus was a divine event — a reminder of our potential for a peace-filled world.