Presbyterian hymn writer pens ‘Jesus, You Once Blessed the Children’
The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette prays that we, too, will bless children in Jesus’ name
LOUISVILLE — Presbyterian pastor and hymn writer the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has a new hymn, “Jesus, You Once Blessed the Children,” set to NETTLETON, the tune for “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”
“This new hymn celebrates Jesus blessing the children,” she said in a statement. “It is a prayer that we, as followers of Jesus, will bless them, too, in his name— as we teach them the faith; as we protect them from gun violence; and as we create a cleaner, more just world for them to grow up in.”
“As the old children’s song goes, ‘They are precious in his sight,’ and since children are precious to Jesus, then he calls us to do everything we can to make the world a more loving, faithful, safe, and sustainable place for them to grow up. What are the ways we are willing to change, to be a blessing to them?”
She grants permission for free use of this hymn, including online, for local churches.
Jesus, You Once Blessed the Children
NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing")
Jesus, you once blessed the children who were often pushed aside.
“God has given them the kingdom,” you proclaimed, arms open wide.
You call people to protect them and to make sure they’re all right.
May we bless the world of children who are precious in your sight.
May we share with them the gospel: In your love, you make us new!
May we help them to be faithful; may they turn in trust to you.
May we teach them love of neighbors in this world’s diversity.
May our love toward friends and strangers be examples that they see.
When our children ask for safety, may we give them what is good.
God, may weapons never hurt them in their homes or neighborhoods.
May we learn that second graders in their classrooms matter more
than the guns we fill our land with — that our nation clamors for.
May we work to stop pollution, may we counter climate change.
For the love of growing children, God, what will we rearrange?
Will we change our laws to save them? Will we try a whole new way?
May our actions bless the children as we build a better day.
Biblical references: Leviticus 19:34; Matthew 18:5-6; Matthew 19:13–15, Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 10:13–16 and Luke 18:15–17; Hebrews 13:2.
Tune: John Wyeth's “Repository of Sacred Music,” 1813
Alternate tune: HOLY MANNA (“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”)
Text: Copyright © 2025 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: [email protected]. New hymns are found here.
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