Ep 10: Once in Royal David’s City

Cecil Frances Alexander was a poet and hymn writer. In 1848, she published this well-loved carol in her book entitled, Hymns for Little Children. The title states the aim of her book. Alexander wanted to present the great truths of Christianity in an easy-to-understand way. 

The simplicity of the language, however, does not diminish the depth of the teaching. There is much here for adults – not just children – to wonder about. I purposely chose the word ‘wonder’ rather than the word ‘think’. This carol encourages us to engage both head and heart as we consider the wonderful truths that unfold in its verses. We are going to focus upon one line of this carol.

‘He was little, weak and helpless’

These three adjectives create a delightful picture of baby Jesus, indeed of any baby. Little; cradled in their mother’s arms. Weak; reliant on their mother’s strength. Helpless; needing to be treated with a mother’s care. These are the very qualities that make babies so adorable. This is the picture that makes the carol so popular. However, this picture seems to be at odds with an earlier line.

‘Who is God and Lord of all’

Scripture tells us that; ‘the Almighty is beyond our reach’ (Job 37:23). Not little, and capable of being held in our arms. ‘The Lord strong and mighty’ (Psalm 24:8). Not weak, and reliant on the strength of others. ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1). Not helpless, and in need of care. We are attracted to baby Jesus because he is little, weak and helpless … but we want our God and Lord of all to be vast beyond reach, strong beyond measure and an ever-present help in trouble.

‘Tears and smiles like us he knew’

The attraction of baby Jesus is that he identifies with us. Jesus is like us: ‘day by day like us he grew’. And equally wondrous, we can be like him; ‘we … are being transformed into his image’ (2 Corinthians 3:18). The challenge of baby Jesus is that of the identity of God. What is this little, weak and helpless baby saying to us about the identity – the nature – of God?

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.

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 Saviour holy.

And through all his wondrous childhood 
He would honour and obey, 
Love and watch the lowly mother 
In whose gentle arms he lay. 
Christian children all must be 
Mild, obedient, good as he.

For he is our childhood’s pattern; 
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.

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.

Cecil Frances Alexander