“Jesus, Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child”

The song’s history has not been well-preserved—listed at the bottom of the song in the Glory to God hymnal are the words: “Specific sources for the words and the music of this piece from the African American heritage remain uncertain.” Horace Boyer, credited with the arrangement and music, attributed this song originally to a black gospel ensemble, the Angelic Gospel Singers, founded and led by Margaret Wells Allison, who came out with “Glory to the Newborn King” in the 1940s. Why does this matter? It matters for a number of reasons as we devote ourselves to considering music during the Christmas season. For one, it helps us remember that there are still today many black women who are not given the credit they deserve. Whether they be artists or musicians, coworkers or colleagues, black women are often overlooked for recognition.

Secondly, it reminds us of the gifts of communities of color that are often overlooked. Predominantly white churches may sing songs written by people who are not white, and yet, do they acknowledge the other gifts of talent that such persons bring, enough to actively reach out and recruit a more diverse congregation?

Another reason it is important is that the Jesus this song sings about has come to give us “new life, new hope!” As we acknowledge the sins of our past and present, we can change our future. Christ has come to give us new life and a new hope for how we can relate to one another. In a country still deeply divided by racism, we need to name the ways racism still shows up in subtle ways, as well as in the more obvious ways of hate crimes and the rise of alt-right white nationalist groups. Ultimately, it is this new life and new hope in Christ that keep us singing songs of joy, as well as doing the work of Christ today in making the world a place where all God’s children feel God’s love.

– Reverend Dr. Carolyn Helsel Associate Professor in The Blair R. Monie Distinguished Chair in Homiletics