Prepare a manger - Edith Shaw Butler & Carl Wiltse

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 23 December 2005, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

1. #GO GET TREE BRANCH SMELL SWEET.
FOR-FOR? MAKE ADVENT WREATH NOW.
NEXT CANDLES-IN-CIRCLE LIGHT"each".
WELCOME MARY HER-rt SOFT-HEARTED SON.

2. LOOK-AT-lf HIS-lf FACE SHINY.
HE-lf COME SAVE EVERY GROUP HERE EARTH.
FOLLOW HIS-lf LIGHT, EVERY PLACE (2h)YOU GO.
EACH TIME WE BREAK BREAD, HE-lf BLESS.

3. MESSIAH, KING, PRINCE BRING-us PEACE.
WE HOPE HIS-lf PEACE MEAN WAR END FOREVER.
HE-lf PROVE L-O-V-E CONQUER SIN CAN.
ANGEL FAR-AWAY HEAVEN SING ABOUT HIM-lf.

4. SET-UP MANGER INSIDE-SELF HEART.
MEAN QUIET PLACE FOR HIM-lf SEPARATE.
PEOPLE HURRY, WORLD NOISY PUT-ASIDE.
INVITE BABY CHRIST CHILD ENTER, COME-ON.


Notes: #GO - [G], PO > NDS, FO away, moves > DS while closing to an [O^].

BRANCH - (2h)[1], POs down, FOs away, are held along side one another and touching. The DH moves away and branches out to the DS, while the NDH does not move.

ADVENT - [A], PO away, FO up, makes an arc like the shape of a wreath moving from 12:00 to 6:00 on an imaginary clock face facing the signer.

WREATH - (2h)[C], POs away, FOs up, makes an arc like the shape of a wreath moving from 12:00 to 6:00 on an imaginary clock face facing the signer.

CANDLES-IN-CIRCLE - Sign CANDLE while moving hands in a circle.

LIGHT"each" - (2h)[bX], DH strikes NDH like a match, and then DH moves up to the candles as if lighting them in a circle.

MARY - [M] touches NDS temple, is drawn across forehead, and descends. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Mary - 1.

SOFT-HEARTED - HEART + (2h)[5^] descend slightly twice while closing to (2h)[O^].

SHINY - (2h)[open 8], POs down, FOs away, twist rapidly at wrists while rising. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Shine.

HE - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

LIGHT - Same sign as BRIGHT and CLEAR, that is, (2h)[O^], POs away, FOs up, open to (2h)[5], while separating. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Light - 1.

BLESS - (2h)[O^], POs ><, held at mouth. Hands are brought downwards while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Bless.

MESSIAH - M-KING. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Messiah.

PRINCE - P-KING.

FAR-AWAY - [1], twists while moving away with tongue shuttling from side to side. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Far.

MANGER - (2h)[5], FOs down interlace fingers and then separate while ascending in outward arcs.

INSIDE-SELF - The FT of [C] are held against the chest and stuff the FT of [O^] into the [C] twice.

NOISY - Touch ear with index finger then (2h)[5], PO down, FO away, move antisymmetrically from side to side with clenched teeth.

PUT-ASIDE - (2h)[B], POs > DS, with DH higher, palms are pressed against imaginary wall that is pushed to one side.

COME-ON - (2h)[B^] move in circles pivoting at the wrists to beckon someone to do something.

Lyrics:

1. Go get a fragrant balsam bough
To make a wreath for Advent now.
Then light tall tapers, one by one,
To welcome Mary's gentle Son.

2. To see the radiance of His face
For every creed and every race;
A Light to follow where we tread,
To bless the breaking of our bread.

3. Messiah, King and Prince of Peace,
He bring the hope that strife may cease,
That Love may triumph over wrong,
The message of the angel's song.

4. Prepare a manger in your heart,
A quiet place for Him apart
From earthly bustle, worldly din,
And bid the Christ Child enter in.

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