A Hymn for Children That Need Rescuing

When we watch the rescue of children or youth,
O God of great mercy, may we see your truth—
That children are precious and you love each one.
They’re made in your image — each daughter, each son.
 
When we watch as children who crossed to this land
Are locked in detention as part of some plan,
May we be reminded that you love them, too;
They’re made in your image; they’re precious to you.
 
When we watch the little ones, hungry and poor,
Who wait as our great nation closes the door,
May we be reminded that as we treat them,
We’re looking at Jesus and so treating him.
 
O God, your Son taught us, and we know it’s true,
That each single person is precious to you.
O Lord, may we know it’s our mission today
To welcome the children — not turn them away.

To the tune of MUELLER 11.11.11.11 (“Away in a Manger”)

Biblical References: Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17; Matthew 25:31-46

Tune: James Ramsey Murray, 1887

Please share this new hymn, completed on July 11, 2018, with others for their possible use in church and for their prayers and action. Carolyn gives permission for free use of this hymn to churches seeking to help immigrant children.

An instrumental version of the Christmas hymn, “Away in a Manger”

Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the author of over 400 hymns that have been sung by thousands of congregations around the world, and are found in 20 books and thousands of websites, including carolynshymns.com. Many of her hymns are published at Sojourners and are also found in Christian Century magazine, The New Yorker, National Public Radio, and PBS-TV. She and her husband Bruce are Presbyterian ministers who have served congregations in New York Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.