God, you give each generation
words of wisdom, truth to tell.
And your call to every nation
is to teach our children well.
For each child is in your image,
moving toward maturity.
Through your word, we hear your message:
Teach your children! Guide and lead!
Christ, you taught us love of neighbor
when you welcomed people in;
and you told us: Children matter!
To neglect them is a sin.
May the children who are yearning
to be all that they can be
find in every school the caring
of the whole community.
Spirit, give to us a vision
of a world that’s just and fair.
May our courage, strength, and wisdom
reach to children everywhere.
May enriching education
touch the lives of rich and poor;
may we build a strong foundation,
then watch all your children soar.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, “God, You Give Each Generation,”
Schools in a Pluralist Culture, Christian Reflection: A Series
in Faith and Ethics, 31 (Waco, TX: The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2009), 53. ©2009, The Center
for Christian Ethics at Baylor University. Reprinted by permission.
Hymn and music are available online at www.ChristianEthics.ws
