TO SEE THE CHILD

(Listen to the song)

1987 I remember a conversation I had with Mark Crafford when I set out to write this song. I think it was November and the Christmas season was quickly approaching. We were talking about doing some special music at the church, and that led to discussion of how the old hymns were similar to the old Christmas carols. Mainly we agreed that the traditional songs and melodies were very outdated and felt that there was a need to produce some contemporary songs for the seasonal festivities. I mean who even knows what figgie pudding is anyways? And when was the last time you roasted chestnuts on the open fire? Of course the lyrics about the savior being born were much more timeless, but you get the idea. So this was my attempt at a contemporary Christmas carol. I can’t remember what Mark came up with. I think his carol idea flopped and he came up with a really nice rendition of the Our Father prayer instead.So I ended up playing TO SEE THE CHILD at the church Christmas service in 1987. We were still at the San Carlos Recreation Center at that time. Mark did backup on the Fender Rhodes and we just kept it really simple.   Years later, I put together a PowerPoint slide show and performed it at several other churches including Clairmont Emmanuel Baptist and Grace Fellowship. When I began to play for the Christmas parties at my workplace held each year, the song became a local favorite of several influential people within the company, including the CEO! He described to me how the peace of God fell over the crowd when I played the song. It felt really good to bring the message of Jesus into the corporate world where political correctness was the order of the day. Now for the lyrics:

TO SEE THE CHILD
Words and music by Reggie Michaud © 1987

He was born in Bethlehem, a town far away and little known.
In the middle of the night, in a stable where the brightest starlight shone.
Oooh, How did the Wise men know? Oooh, Where did the Magi go?

To see the Child born, lying in the hay.To see the Child. Bringing gifts from far away.
And falling down, they worshiped Christ the baby boy.
Emanuel, coming down bringing Peace and Joy! La-La-La-Lai

Meanwhile on a hillside, tending sheep by the light of the moon...
Shepherds kept their watch, and then suddenly they heard an angel’s tune.
And oohh, what a beautiful sight!
So they left their flocks behind and went outsearching in the middle of the night.

To see the Child born, lying in the hay.To see the Child. Shepherds came from far away.
And falling down, they worshiped Christ the baby boy.
Emanuel, coming down bringing Peace and Joy! La-La-La-Lai
(Repeat twice, 2nd time replace “Shepherds from far away” with“Wise men come even today”)