This carol was written in November 2017 with all children who are suffering in the world today in mind. The author was born in Cork in 1928 and was ordained in the Church of Ireland. He has served in Canada for most of his ministry and is a well-known author, preacher and hymn writer.
CAROL FOR THE CHILDREN
Jesus, babe of Bethlehem’s manger,
Helpless in your newborn hour,
Born in days of death and danger,
Herod’s hatred, Roman power;
We who watch as countless children
Daily die in cruel ways,
Trapped in endless human conflicts;
Help us not to turn our gaze.
Orphaned child in Old Aleppo,
Wandering in its shattered streets:
Lead her to some sheltering haven
Where with care and love she meets.
Freezing child in storm-tossed waters,
Watching all around him drown.
Newborn child of the Rohingya
Crying in a burning town.
Children, too, in every city
Known to us across this land,
Living, without love or pity,
Lives we barely understand.
Children lonely, unprotected;
Children mentally confused;
Children, some by drugs affected;
Children cruelly abused.
Jesus, whom we know as loving,
Lord of all things good and true;
Show us that when children suffer
Serving them is serving you.
Jesus, Prince of Peace in glory,
Guide us that our wars may cease.
Help us change our human story.
Grant us wisdom. Bring us peace.
Herbert O’Driscoll, ©2017
Metre: 87 87 D, Suggested tune: “Abbot’s Leigh”
