13 Then were there brought unto him
little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the
disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto
me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And he laid his hands on them,
and departed thence.
(Matt
19:13-15)
Today's hymn is one of only two baptismal hymns provided in the 1940 Hymnal. It
may reflect the Lenten spirit in its appeal for the benefits of Christ to
attend every little child that is brought into His Church by loving parents -
and those benefits were purchased at the end of the Lenten Season. We are
reminded, too, that we are all but little children in the eyes of the Lord
lacking understanding in many ways and subject to getting lost when our
attentions wander. We must be as little children else we have no part in the
Kingdom of Heaven. "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted,
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Matt 18:3 (KJV) It should be further noted that those who exercise authority
over little children bear a tremendous responsibility. "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his
neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matt 18:6)
I have the distinct privilege on this coming Easter Even to baptize Noah
Armistead Bordy Lane, the great grandson of our founding Bishop, James Parker
Dees, and Rear Admiral Michael William Bordy. Both were leaders of men and women either in the church or on
ships at sea. Their responsibilities were of no greater importance (except in
scope) than that of two parents in rearing Godly and morally upright children.
Today's hymn makes reference to that responsibility.
The lyrics to this hymn, in German, were written by Heinrich von Laufenburg in
1429, and has been translated into the English by Catherine Winkworth in 1869.
The tune, St. Catherine, is the preferred tune and was composed by James
G. Walton in 1864.
O Jesus Christ, Lord Most Dear
O Jesus Christ, our Lord most dear,
As Thou wast once an Infant here
So give this child of Thine, we pray,
Thy grace and blessing day by day.
Refrain
O holy Jesus, Lord divine,
We pray Thee guard this child of Thine.
As in Thy heav’nly kingdom, Lord,
Thy messengers obey Thy word,
Send forth the succor of Thy might
To shield this child both day and night.
Refrain
And all his life, let angels keep
Him safe from harm, awake, asleep;
May he not bear the cross in vain,
But with Thy saints a crown attain.
Refrain
O Jesus Christ, our Lord most dear, As Thou wast once an Infant here So
give this child of Thine, we pray, Thy grace and blessing day by day Truly Jesus did love, and does
love, the little children. By presenting a child for baptism, the parents and
God-parents are committing to raise the child in the grace and nurture of the
Word of God. The child is unable to make a commitment, but by the parents
commitment, the child is brought into a timely covenant relationship in the
Church of God. At the age of understanding, the child must renew that
commitment of his own volition at Confirmation. You may rest assured that any
child "set in the midst of Jesus" will be granted blessing and
grace.
As in Thy heav’nly kingdom, Lord, Thy messengers obey Thy word, Send
forth the succor of Thy might To shield this child both day and night.
My wife and I have seven children (four of whom are adopted). We love and care
for our children, but we also love and care for every other child that comes
under our influence. We consider that to be a God-given responsibility. We
believe the mercy and grace of God, exercised by us, will cover our own
children as well as others. We pray, too, that God will send Christian friends
and witnesses to them when they are away from our own voice. We do believe that
prayer uttered on behalf of a child is cherished and heard by the Lord on their
behalf. We must pray, first for our own children, and secondly, for the
children of our community, country, and the greater world beyond, that the Lord
will send the Light of His Spirit to lighten their way and defend them from all
evil.
And all his life, let angels keep Him safe from harm, awake, asleep; May
he not bear the cross in vain, But with Thy saints a crown attain. The
end of the parental responsibility that God envisioned at Eden was that the
father and mother should teach their children daily so that the end of their
lives are as close to God, and closer, than that of the innocent baby born at
the beginning of it. Even our Lord grew in spirit and strength, and our own
children must be provided with the environment to grow likewise, and the grace
of God will dwell in his heart. And the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)
No one bears the cross of Christ in vain, but it is most profitable to begin
the cross-bearing early in life so that much greater service is done over time
for the Lord.
Refrain
O holy Jesus, Lord divine, We pray Thee guard this child of Thine. Herein lies the aim and object
of baptism. By committing the child's soul to our Lord, protection from worldly
excess and danger is invoked. Prayer, too, will cover and guard the child with
God's providence.
