# To the Child Jesus explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

## What happens

The chapter reflects on the nativity of Jesus, suggesting that seeing Him as a human child would end the age of doubt and restore innocence. It then follows the Flight into Egypt, portraying Jesus as a wayfaring pilgrim and fugitive, and prays that His fellowship may cheer the weary and guide the homeless to their heavenly home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Doubt

The poem suggests that seeing Jesus as a human child would dispel the age of doubt, restoring faith and innocence.

### The Pilgrimage of Life

Jesus is depicted as a wayfaring pilgrim and stranger, exiled from heaven, and the poem prays for guidance for all weary and homeless hearts on their journey home.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus

Appears as the Child Jesus in the nativity and as a wayfaring pilgrim in the Flight into Egypt.

## Key lines

> Could every time-worn heart but see Thee once again, A happy human child, among the homes of men, The age of doubt would pass⁠—the vision of Thy face Would silently restore the childhood of the race.

If every weary heart could see Jesus as a joyful human child living among people, the era of doubt would end, and the sight of His face would quietly bring back the innocence of humanity.

_Expresses the transformative power of encountering the incarnate Christ._

> Thou wayfaring Jesus, a pilgrim and stranger, Exiled from heaven by love at thy birth, Exiled again from thy rest in the manger, A fugitive child ’mid the perils of earth⁠— Cheer with thy fellowship all who are weary, Wandering far from the land that they love; Guide every heart that is homeless and dreary, Safe to its home in thy presence above.

You, Jesus, are a wandering traveler and foreigner, sent from heaven by love at your birth, then forced to flee from the manger's rest, a refugee child in earthly dangers. Comfort with your companionship all who are tired and far from their beloved homeland; lead every sad and homeless heart safely to its true home in your heavenly presence.

_Connects Jesus' exile to the experience of all who are homeless or weary, offering hope of heavenly guidance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/to-the-child-jesus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters