Summary

Mary from Mull Word on the Week 27th December 2025.
Mary MacDonald, poet, was a crofters’ daughter who live on the Bunessan peninsula on the Scottish Isle of Mull. It is on the route which people take when they visit Iona. Mary lived from 1789 to 1872. Her only language was Scots Gaelic.
It was in Gaelic that she wrote her poetry. The Gaelic Bible was first printed in 1801 and doubtless she made good use of it. Only one hymn has survived in hymnbook and it shows her wide-ranging understanding of the love of Christ.
This hymn is Child in a Manger. It is often sung as a carol. It has three verses.
Child in a Manger
Infant of Mary
Outcast and stranger
Lord of all!
Child who inherits
All our transgressions,
All our demerits
On Him fall.

Mary’s Hymn is already breaking out of the baby stage. The Child is shepherding His unruly sheep and bearing the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53).
Once the most holy
Child of salvation
Gently and lowly
Lived below;
Now as our glorious
Mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious
O’er each foe.

We are now looking back to the Outcast and Stranger accomplishing salvation ascending to the place of all authority to welcome the redeemed (Isaiah60:16).
Prophets foretold Him,
Infant of wonder
Angels behold Him
On His throne;
Worthy our Saviour
Of all their praises;
Happy for ever
Are His own.

A paean of praise to Jesus involving Prophets, Angels and the Redeemed.