This is a night I look forward to every year—the Christmas Eve service at our church, an evening we are drawn together in peace and in awe. We’ll probably hear the choir sing a song or two from our Christmas cantata the Sunday before last, and we’ll join in congregational singing of familiar hymns, hear the Great Story told again, and head out in the inspired quiet that follows. Maybe we’ll drive around a little bit and take in yard decorations—a trip down a street long known as “Christmas Tree Lane” perhaps. Some years it’s cold and some years there’s snow and it looks and feels like Christmas. But it’s Christmas regardless of weather, regardless of neighborhood, regardless of culture.
I love the magnificence of some of the traditional Christmas music but I think the hymn that carries a special Christmas message, particularly in these times, is my favorite or at least very close to the top of my list of favorites.
It is music written in 1951 by Alfred Burt, a minister who died much too young, with lyrics by his church’s secretary, Wihla Hutson—who provide lyrics for music the Burts, senior and junior, wrote for their cards each year. The Burt hymns are gentle and lovely. The Jimmy Joyce Singers put out an album of them more than fifty years ago. It’s on Youtube and the CD is still available.
Here’s a hymn that’s probably unacceptable to some. But I think it needs to be played, sung, and heard by everybody—because it’s about everybody.
We have several videos at the end to let you hear how various people and groups perform this universal song.
Some Children See Him (Wihla Hutson and Alfred S. Burt 1951)
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 Heaven to earth come down. Some children see him bronzed and brown With dark and heavy hair.
Some children see Him almond-eyed, This savior here 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.
Oh, lay aside each earthly thing And with thy heart as offering Come worship now the infant king ‘Tis love that’s born tonight.
Carolyn Mawbry Chorale Some Children See Him arr. Jay Rouse
Bebe Williams sings: (1325) Some Children See Him (feat. Bebe Winans) – YouTube
Tennessee Ernie Ford: Some Children See Him
John Williams with the Boston Pops, the Boston Children’s Choir, and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus: John Williams: The Carols of Alfred Burt
The complete album:
Jimmy Joyce – This Is Christmas: The Complete Collection Of Alfred S. Burt Carols in 4k (1964)
Love the musical suggestions Bob… Merry Christmas to you and Nancy🎄