O, children dear, to me give ear,
I speak of Christ the Lord:
God’s well-loved Son, His only One,
The everlasting Word.
Before He spoke, and all things woke.
Before the sun had shone;
Before His hand outstretched the land,—
He dwelt with God alone.
Yet even then He thought of men.
His thoughts were thoughts of grace;
Said He would die to bring us nigh,
And save our ruined race.
And this to do, “faithful and true,”
In human form He came;
As Mary’s Child, all meek and mild,
Jesus, the Christ, His name.
Behold what love, all ill above,
He cures all woe and pain;
Lightens the blind, restores the mind,
Makes lepers without stain!
Now see Him sleep, whilst billows sweep,
Disciples quake for fear;
They weakly cry, “Lord, must we die?”
Not knowing God so near.
He speaks His will, the waves are still,
They hear their Maker’s voice;
A calm ensues, th’ astonished Jews
Wonder and yet rejoice.
But Christ must die to bring us nigh,
He dies to do us good;
For all our sins, He pardon wins,
Who trust His precious blood.
And now He’s risen, the veil is riven,
All saints in Him brought nigh;
His victory gained, glory obtained,
For all His own on high.
Then, children dear, by faith draw near,
Christ’s evermore the same;
Believe His word, own Him your Lord,
Confess the Saviour’s name.
ML 07/26/1925