As of 2006, she has released nineteen albums. Thirty-two of her singles have reached the Number 1 position on Christian radio national airplay charts. These include "He Is Exalted", "God Is In Control", "We Bow Down" and "The Warrior Is A Child". She has received five GMA Dove Awards, and three American Songwriter Awards.
Some of Paris' songs have been included in the hymnals by a variety of churches including the United Methodist church and various Charismatic churches. In recent years, Paris has focused on recording new versions of some of her worship standards and writing new praise and worship music in contrast to contemporary Christian pop songs that she released the latter 1990s.
Her uncle, Loren Cunningham is the founder of Youth With A Mission, while her family started Ecclesia College in Elm Springs, Arkansas, where her brother Oren Paris III is president and father Oren Paris II is chancellor. Paris herself studied theology and sacred music, though she has claimed to have placed little emphasis in her formal studies on composition or songwriting. Beyond songwriting, she is the author of four books, three of which focus on contemporary Christian theology.
She and her husband Jack Wright have one child, Jack Paris Wright, born April 29, 2001.
Although widely associated for much of her career with Star Song Records, EMI switched her over to the Sparrow label in 1996, before her contract ended after 2003. In 2005, she switched to Michael Coleman's INO label.
Away in a Manger
Twila Paris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head
The stars in the sky look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee 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 Thee there.
The lyrics of "Away in a Manger" are beautifully written and carry a profound message. The song begins by painting a picture of a humble manger where the little Lord Jesus is laid to rest. Despite the fact that there is no crib for Him, the baby Jesus lays His sweet head on a bed of hay. The lyrics go on to describe how the stars in the sky are looking down upon the scene as if drawn by the magical presence of the newborn king. However, the cattle surrounding the manger begin to low and the baby Jesus wakes up, though He doesn't cry.
The second verse of the song is a prayer offered to baby Jesus by the singer to stay close to her cradle till morning is nigh. The singer pleads with Jesus to be close to her always and bless all the dear children in His loving care. The closing lines of "Away in a Manger" implore Jesus to take us all to heaven to live with Him there.
Overall, the lyrics of "Away in a Manger" are full of humility, love, and reverence towards the birth of Jesus Christ. They portray the love and prayers of a simple believer towards the Lord who has come to earth to save humanity from sin.
Line by Line Meaning
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus was born in a humble manger instead of a proper crib.
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head
The baby Jesus slept peacefully in the manger.
The stars in the sky look down where He lay
The bright stars shone on the manger where baby Jesus lay.
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
Baby Jesus slept on soft hay in the manger.
The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes
The noise of the cows made the baby Jesus stir from his sleep.
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes
Even though he was awakened by the cows, baby Jesus did not cry.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
The singer professes their love for Jesus and asks him to watch over them.
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh
The artist asks Jesus to stay close to them while they sleep.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
The artist continues to ask for Jesus to always be with them.
Close by me forever and love me, I pray
The artist desires for Jesus to always be with them and show them love.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
The singer asks Jesus to bless and care for all children.
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.
The artist hopes to one day live in heaven with Jesus.
Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.