This Child We Dedicate to Thee
This child we dedicate to thee
This hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of baptism and child dedication as occasions for the Christian community to pledge support for faithful nurture in the faith. It emphasizes parental and congregational responsibility to guide children toward Christ while entrusting them to God's providential care.
History & Background
Written by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1848, this hymn was composed specifically for the dedication of children to God's care and the Church's support. It appeared in various 19th-century American hymnals and was included in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as a standard child dedication hymn.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 227
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 303
Bulletin Note
Penned by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1848, this hymn has graced baptism and dedication services for nearly two centuries, reflecting the Lutheran conviction that the church itself becomes co-parent in faith.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Law's call to parental and congregational responsibility while anchoring hope in the Gospel's promise that God's grace—not our adequacy—secures the child's future in Christ.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Fourth Commandment Small Catechism — Ten Commandments
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From invocation of God's mercy → ascent to praise → memorial of grace received → Christ's redemptive rescue → confession of debt → commitment despite human weakness
Themes
Child dedication Parental stewardship Divine blessing Sanctification Hope in Christ