Christ's Birth in Humble Circumstances: Song #13 "The Snow Lay on the Ground"

Christ's Birth in Humble Circumstances

The next set of songs all refer to the nativity scene itself - the newborn baby laid in a manger surrounded by animals and other admirers. 

Song #13 "The Snow Lay on the Ground"

This is a song my mom, Merrilene Jinks, used to sing to herself while I was growing up. I think she'd sung it in high school choir. This was back when you couldn't just look up a song on the internet whenever you wanted to learn more about it. When I was a teenager I bought all sorts of Christmas CD's and listened to Christmas stations on the radio, but I never heard anyone singing it besides my mom. I forgot about it for a long time, then about six years ago she was humming it again while she was here in Washington visiting us for Christmas. I looked it up online and found some nice choral recordings on Spotify. Just two years ago I bought a new Christmas songbook and was delighted to discover this solo version of it in there. Here are the lyrics

The snow lay on the ground, the stars shone bright, when Christ our Lord was born on Christmas night. Venite adoremus Dominum (O come let us adore him, the Lord)

Saint Joseph too was by to tend the Child, to guard him, and protect his mother mild. The angels hovered round and sang this song: Venite adoremus Dominum.

I like that this song mentions Joseph, even if it doesn't say a whole lot about him. He's a huge part of the Christmas story, but there aren't many songs about him while there are an abundance of songs about the shepherds or even fictional characters present at the birth (i.e. "The Little Drummer Boy"). The few songs I found about Joseph were pop, country, or silly and fictitious (i.e. "when Joseph was an Old Man"). I do like "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" in the LDS primary songbook, but I think it's better sung by children or by a choir. I also like the art song "Nun Wandre Maria" by Hugo Wolfe, which perfectly captures Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. I sang it in college, but I think it's far better sung by a man since it's Joseph himself talking to Mary. 

Matthew 1:18-21 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Luke 1:1-7 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.