The Children Come

 FINLANDIA 11.10.11.10.11.10  
 
The children come, not sure where they are going;
Some little ones have seen their siblings die.
They’ve traveled north—a tide that keeps on growing,
A stream of life beneath the desert sky.
Their welcome here?  Detention, overflowing.
O Lord of love, now hear your children’s cry!
 
The children come in search of something better;
They’ve traveled here with nothing in their hands.
On one boy’s belt, a number carved in leather
Leads to a phone, a brother here, a plan.
They come alone—or sometimes band together;
They bring a plea that we will understand.
 
O Christ our Lord, you welcomed in the stranger;
You blessed the children, telling them to stay.
Be in the desert, with the tired and injured;
Be at the border where they are afraid.
Be on each bus where children sense the danger,
As angry crowds are shouting, “Go away!”
 
God, let each one know justice, peace and welcome—
And may your gift of mercy start with me.
For unto such as these belongs your kingdom,
And in each child, it is your face we see.
May we, your church, respond in truth and action,
And with you, Lord, say, “Let them come to me.”
 
Biblical references:  Matthew 25:31-46; 19:14-16
Tune:  Jean Sibelius, 1899.
Text:   Copyright © 2014 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.  All rights reserved
New Hymns:  http://www.carolynshymns.com  Email:  bcgillette@comcast.net
Permission is given for free use of this hymn for local church use by those supporting efforts to help these children and immigration reform now.