First Baptist Church of Herndon

Tis Love

Linda Soller | Dec 22, 2014

Each year, for the last few years, I’ve treated myself to a new Christmas CD to play in my car as I drive to and from work. Last year I purchased “James Taylor at Christmas.”  It was James Taylor, so I didn’t really worry about what songs were on the CD, besides the photo on the cover was so inviting. I remember the first time I listened to it, singing along naturally, and I was thinking it was fine. I wasn’t really a fan of the Jingle Bells arrangement, but overall it was going well. Then I heard song number nine, “Some Children See Him.” I’d never heard that song. I could believe I might not know the words well enough to sing, but found it hard to believe I’d never heard it at all. So I listened to it again and again. The song was written in 1951 by Wihla Hutson and Alfred S. Burt. Intended as a lullaby at a time in history when the world was growing smaller, and it was no longer unusual to have a diverse congregation. Wihla wanted it to be a Christmas lullaby for all families. I offer you the words to this lovely song, which grows more relevant every day, as our world continues to grow smaller. Here are Wihla’s words.

“Some children see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night.

Some children see Him lily white, with tresses soft and fair.

Some children see Him bronzed and brown, the Lord of heav’n to earth come down.

Some children see Him bronzed and brown, with dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond-eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside.

Some children see Him almond-eyed, with skin of yellow hue.

Some children see Him dark as they, sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray.

Some children see Him dark as they, and, ah, they love Him, too!

The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus’ face, like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, and filled with holy light.

O lay aside each earthly thing, and with thy heart as offering, come worship now the infant King, ‘tis love that’s born tonight!”

I don’t know if Wihla could have imagined our world of 2014. Just shy of 101 years old she died in 2002. I feel she had a glimpse of where we were headed. But in 1951 her words were opening windows to the future as it needed to be. Her words help us see Jesus through the eyes of children. Her words speak to an innocence which daily life gradually erodes. So much is troubling in our world, it’s frustrating, and scary. We ask how can we still have these issues, and yet many of us can remember when it was so much worse. We think we are having modern problems, but distrust, prejudice, anger, and hate have been around forever. We talk like it is someone else’s problem, but it belongs to each of us. We have to search our hearts for how we can make a difference. This is a week of wonder, of excitement, of joy. We are invited to join in the celebration, and share the message; ‘tis love that’s born tonight!

Have a joyous week and a Merry Christmas filled with love!  :o)    Linda