Baby Jesus, aka Away in a Manger, is back

Of course you know that as part of Sarah's sleep routine I sing her a song. For about a year now I have been requested to sing "Baby Jesus" also known as "Away in a Manger"...all three verses. Don't think that I haven't suggested another song, any other song of the dozens that she knows and is familiar with, but to no avail. "Baby Jesus" is part of the routine and that is that. Since Sarah naps in the afternoons and goes to sleep at night this has amounted to me singing "Baby Jesus" way more times than the average human being would sing it in his or her life-time. I've sung it so much that often my mind wanders while I'm singing and I catch myself into the third verse without remembering singing the second verse.

Then two weeks ago I began to sing "Mother I love you" with the second verse substituting Sarah's name for Mother as a desperate measure to restore peace in the car while running errands. This pleased the small child and it became the requested song for going to sleep by. I didn't even mind singing it thrice, once the way it is written, second with Sarah and third with Daddy in the place of Mother. "Ahhh" thought I, "finally something new." Alas, the thought was short-lived. Three nights ago the request came in for "Baby Jesus." The next night I suggested "Mother I love you" but was denied. Again tonight my request for variety was rejected. I guess I am going to be singing "Baby Jesus" twice a day for another year, perhaps for eternity. I admit that it is one of my favorite Christmas songs, but sheesh a person can only sing it so many times for so long without losing the spirit of the song in mindless repetition.