How God Made the Child
Illustration★★★★When God made the child he began early in the morning. He watched the golden hues of the rising day chasing away the darkness, and he chose the azure of the opening heavens for the color of childhood’s eyes, the crimson of the clouds to paint its cheeks, and the gold of the morning for its flowing tresses. He listened to the song of the birds as they sang and warbled and whispered, and strung childhood’s harp with notes now soft and low—now sweet and strong.
He saw little lambs among the flock romp and play and skip, and he put play into childhood’s heart. He saw the silvery brook and listened to its music and he made the laughter of the child like the ripple of the brook. He saw angels of light as upon the wings of love they hastened to holy duty, and he formed the child’s heart in purity and love. And having made the child, he sent it out to bring joy into the home, laughter on the green and gladness everywhere.
He sent it into the home and said to the parents, “Nourish and bring up this child for me.” He sent it to the church and said, “Teach it my love and my laws.” He sent it to the state and said, “Deal tenderly with it and it will bless and not curse you.” He sent it to the nation and said: “Be good to the child.
It is thy greatest asset and thy hope.”
The point
A poetic meditation on God's careful crafting of childhood—its joy, wonder, beauty, and capacity to bring gladness—with calls for parents, church, state, and nation to nurture this precious gift wisely.