Once In David’s Royal City

Once In David’s Royal City by Cecil Francis Humphreys Alexander

1. Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

2. He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

3. And through all His wondrous childhood
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden,
In whose gentle arms He lay:
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.

4. For he is our childhood's pattern;¹
Day by day, like us He grew;
He was little, weak and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

5. And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

6. Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in heaven,
Set at God's right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

            Humphreys wrote this great Christmas carol for children and placed it in his Hymns for Little Children, which was published in1848.  By adding this carol to his publication he was able to use it to catechize children by presenting the accurate Christmas message.  His purpose was apropos in 1848 and is just as relevant in this century.  Although I am tempted to brag on this carol’s content, I will refrain from boring my readers and merely say that it is a strong catechism for children and adults who attend worship services at Christmas time but have little knowledge of the real story of Christmas and its significance to postmoderns ad now post postmoderns.  It is unfortunate that many worship fellowships skip this great and significant Christmas carol.

            Today is Sunday and it is Christmas.  Every Christian must fill this day with praise and worship.  The fifth and sixth verses are worthy of special mention.  So, please take time to include them in your daily devotions on this special day!  His first coming was very humble but He is sitting at the right hand of God the Father on this special day and He is praying for us.  As my former pastor R.E. Carrol used to say, “Practice the presence of God”.  Jesus is the King of Kings and is worthy of our worship.

Prayer for the Day

            O, Thou most Holy and worthy Savior, I give You praise and honor on this day that we celebrate your birth.  O, Thou most gracious and merciful Lord of Lords, I want to bow before You in humble adoration.  ou are my Savior and Lord and I acknowledge Your Kingship.  There is no one who deserves all the praise and honor that any of us can give except You Lord.  I want to thank You for coming to this world to save us from our sins and to purify our hearts as of by fire.  This I am praying in Your wonderful name.  Amen.