Songs of Justice and Hope
Two timeless carols call for justice, equality, and compassion.
As the holiday approaches, two carols—one an African American spiritual, the other a classic with a hidden message—remind us of the resilience of our ancestors.
“Children Go Where I Send Thee” and the third verse of “O Holy Night” carry messages of justice, equality, and compassion that resonate powerfully in today’s world.
“Children Go Where I Send Thee” is a cumulative spiritual, each verse layering biblical figures into a rhythmic call-and-response. Beyond its lively cadence, the song reflects the resilience of African American communities who used music to preserve faith and identity under oppression. Its verses—“One for the little bitty baby, born in Bethlehem… Three for the Hebrew children”—tie the Christmas story to broader struggles for survival and liberation.
Spelman College Glee Club – “Children, Go Where I Send Thee”
In its repetition, the song becomes a communal act of resistance: a reminder that faith is not passive, but active, carried forward by generations who refused to be silenced.
The third verse of “O Holy Night” is perhaps the most radical stanza in any Christmas carol. John Sullivan Dwight’s English translation declares, “Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother; and in His name all oppression shall cease.”
Written in the mid-1800s, these words were a direct challenge to slavery and injustice. They remain a clarion call today, urging us to see one another as equals and to confront systems that perpetuate inequality. The verse insists that Christ’s gospel is not only about personal salvation, but about transforming society through love and peace.
At a time when communities grapple with division, inequality, and the erosion of compassion, these songs remind us of the moral core of the season. They call us to break the chains of oppression, affirm that every person is a brother or sister, and the importance of practicing daily acts of kindness.
Music can be more than tradition—it can be a manifesto for hope. This season, remember that these songs are not just uplifting; they allow us to recommit to building a world where love and justice prevail.
