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 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
Once In Royal David's City
Once In Royal David's City Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Laura Story's rendition of the classic hymn "Once In Royal David's City," released as a song video on 2015-10-06, offers a contemplative look at the profound narrative of Christ's birth and its cosmic significance. The hymn, originally written by Cecil Frances Alexander, tells the story with simple yet powerful language, beginning in "royal David's city," Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecy regarding the Messiah's lineage and birthplace. The opening verse immediately establishes the scene of humility: a "lowly cattle shed" and a "manger for His bed," emphasizing the stark contrast between the divine identity of the child and His humble surroundings. Mary is identified as the mother, and the infant as "Jesus Christ her little Child," laying the foundational fact of the incarnation.
The second verse expands upon the identity of the child and the context of His arrival. He is declared as having "came down to earth from heaven," explicitly stating His pre-existence and divine nature as "God and Lord of all." The description continues to highlight the lowliness of His initial dwelling – a "stable" and a "stall" as His cradle – reinforcing the theme of divine humility. The verse emphasizes His solidarity with humanity, noting that He "lived on earth our Saviour holy" specifically "with the poor, and mean, and lowly." This aspect underscores the accessibility and empathy of Christ, identifying with those on the margins of society from the very beginning of His earthly life.
The final verse shifts focus from the historical event of the birth to the future hope it provides. It speaks of the future when "our eyes at last shall see Him," referencing the Second Coming of Christ. This future vision is tied to "His own redeeming love," the purpose behind His coming to earth in the first place. The hymn reiterates the connection between the "Child so dear and gentle" born in the manger and the exalted "Lord in heaven above." This affirms the continuity of His identity from humble infant to glorious Lord. The hymn concludes with the promise that "He leads His children on / To the place where He is gone," offering an image of Christ guiding believers towards eternal life and union with Him in heaven.
The narrative of this hymn is deeply rooted in Scripture. The birth in Bethlehem is recounted in Luke 2:4-7, where Joseph and Mary travel to the city of David, and Mary gives birth in a stable, laying the baby in a manger. The divine nature of Jesus, coming from heaven, is a central theme throughout the New Testament, including John 1:1, 14, which speaks of the Word (God) becoming flesh. Philippians 2:5-8 describes Christ humbling himself, taking the form of a servant. His identification with the poor and lowly resonates with passages like Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says acts done for the least of these are done for Him. The hope of seeing Him in the future aligns with biblical prophecies regarding His return, such as mentioned in Revelation 1:7 and 1 John 3:2, which states that when He appears, "we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is." Laura Story's musical presentation allows listeners to engage with these foundational truths of the Christian faith, reflecting on the miracle of the incarnation and the promise of redemption.
This hymn, as presented by Laura Story, serves as an inspirational reminder of God's extraordinary love manifested in the humility of Christ's birth. It calls contemplation to the depth of sacrifice involved in the Son of God entering the world in such a simple, overlooked setting. The message that the Savior of the world chose to identify with the poor and meek offers comfort and hope. Furthermore, the hymn points beyond the historical event to the ultimate hope of redemption and eternal life with the very child who was laid in that manger, encouraging faith and anticipation for His return. The enduring message is one of divine love, humility, and the promise of future glory for those who follow Him.
