O CHILDREN COME[1]
From the outset of his ministry, Jesus invited people to join him in establishing his Kingdom. Many times, the invitation was spoken – “Come, follow me.” Other times, people were drawn to him with no words spoken. But it was for the purpose of drawing people to himself – of reconciling people to God – that Jesus came. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”[2] So, it could be said that, at the moment of his birth in Bethlehem, Jesus’ saving and reconciling ministry began. When the angels announced his birth to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, Jesus’ call to abundant life was first given.
Hear the cry from Bethlehem: “O children, come!”
Son of God now born to men: “O children, come!”
Bring your troubles, bring your fears; bring the needs that draw you near.
Find the hope of all the years: “O children, come! O children, come!”
In their announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, the angels proclaimed, “peace on earth, good will to men” (Luke 2:14). How do we understand peace in a world that since the Garden of Eden has known no peace? God’s righteous rule brings genuine peace, and that is what Jesus initiated in his life on earth. Being free from the toil and distress of sin is peace, and such a deliverance is what Jesus provided for in his death on the cross. Grace and rest are signs of peace, and these Jesus gives us through his Holy Spirit from his place of authority now in heaven.
Peace on earth, good will to men: “O children, come!”
Righteous rule that will not end: “O children, come!”
Lay down all your bitterness; turn from sin’s toil and distress.
Find his grace and perfect rest: “O children, come! O children, come!”
These blessings of peace, this eternal, abundant life that Jesus came to give, are not things to be received and hoarded, but rather are blessings to rejoice in, praise God for, and pass on.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.[3]
The way to live the abundant life that Jesus gives is as simple as it is profound: love God with all that is within you and love the people around you in the same way you desire to be loved. Love God and love people. In Jesus, we have been blessed to be a blessing. So, as an ambassador of Christ’s kingdom, we extend his call to all whom we come in contact with. Whoever you are, and from whatever circumstances you are facing in your life, “O children, come.” Come to Jesus.
Where the Father’s grace has walked: “O children, come!”
Where you see the hurt and lost: “O children, come!”
Show the mercy shown to you; gifts of kindness to renew.
Love from hearts sincere and true. “O children, come! O children, come!”
O Children Come
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] Words and music: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty © 2014 Getty Music Publishing
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Jn 10:10.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Co 5:17–20.
