‘Away in a manger’ is one of the most well known Christmas carols. The original song was titled ‘Luther’s cradle hymn’ as many believed that he had written it for his own children. After his death, the song was passed from generation to generation as German mothers sang it to their children. German immigrants brought it to the USA and the first two verses were published in Phialdelphia in 1885. A third verse was added by John T McFarland in the early 1900’s.
Away in a manger
Away in a manger no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head 
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes
I love thee Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And take us to Heaven to live with you there.
Little Donkey 
Little Donkey is a popular Christmas Carol by English songwriter Eric Boswell. It describes the journey Mary, the mother of Jesus made to Bethlehem on the Little Donkey.
Little donkey, little donkey, on a dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load
Been a long time, little donkey, through the winter’s night
Don’t give up now, little donkey, Bethlehem’s in sight
Chorus:
Ring out those bells tonight
Bethlehem, Bethlehem
Follow that star tonight
Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day
Little donkey,carry Mary safely on her way
Little donkey,little donkey journey’s end is near
There are wisemen waiting for a sign to bring them here
Do not falter little donkey, there’s a star ahead
It will guide you, little donkey, to a cattle shed
Chorus
Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day
Little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way
Little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way.
Silent Night
On Christmas Eve in 1818, Father Joseph Mohr, Parish Priest of St. Nicholas’s Church in Obendorf, Austria had a big problem on his hands for mice had damaged the church organ. It was impossible to repair the organ befor the Christmas Eve Service. But Father Mohr was not a person to give up easily. He pulled out a poem he had written in 2016 when he was the Parish Priest at a Pilgrim Church in Mariapfarr also in Austria named ‘Stille nacht heilige nacht’ (‘Silent night, holy night ‘.) Mohr took this poem to Hans Gruber, an organist and school master in the neighbouring village of Arnsdorf and told him to compose the music for the hymn to be played on a guitar. Gruber qucikly composed the melody and ‘Silent Night’ was played for the very first time on Christmas Eve at St Nicholas’s Church in Obendorf. An organ builder who serviced the Obendorf church’s organ liked the carol so much that he took it with him to Zillertal, where he lived.
Though so beautiful it took another 50 years or so for ‘Silent night' to be translated into English. The very popular English version that we love and sing today was translated from the English by Episcopalian Bishop John Freeman Young in 1859.
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night 
All is calm and all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al – le – lu – ia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus , Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
- Internet