By Jane M. Gardner
Formation Ministries
My first recollection of Dan Damon, creator of “like a child,” Community of Christ Sings 403, was at a Hymn Society annual conference. He was accompanying the group on the piano and to my surprise seamlessly moved from “church music” into jazz rhythms and chords.
As it turns out, Damon is a seasoned player in jazz clubs around California and has led jazz vespers for students at the University of California-Berkeley, California, USA, his alma mater. He recently retired as an elder in the United Methodist Church after serving several California parishes. Damon teaches church music and is an associate editor of hymnody at Hope Publishing Co.
Damon covers a range of biblical and theological themes in his songs, often with a prophetic bent. His topics include creation/ecology, gender identity, immigration, inclusion, interfaith respect, LGBTQ orientations, mental illness, and social justice. Hymnary.org lists more than ninety hymn texts and an equal number of original tunes and arrangements in current hymnals. Eighteen of his songs are in Community of Christ Sings. His most-published text and tune is the Advent hymn, “like a child.”
...to my surprise seamlessly moved from “church music” into jazz rhythms and chords.
This song approaches Advent through the fresh lens of humble beginnings for the Christ child, rather than the usual monarchy and king references. The words obviously allude to the poetic style of e.e. cummings. The text has no capital letters (except for Jesus) or punctuation. The tune purposefully is simple, almost child-like. In fact, less-experienced piano students will find this song accessible.
I wrote to Damon, asking if there was a story behind this song. His reply:
As a young pastor, I sat in my sunken black easy chair most nights writing late as my family slept. Writing—words or music—is my form of daily prayer. I listen for the Spirit’s voice and write what comes to me.
Once I hear a line or two, it feels like solving a puzzle to me. The words:
like a child
love would send
to reveal and to mend
like a child and a friend
Jesus comes/came first.
What could follow that?
I spent quite a few nights trying the short lines of three syllables each and trying to find triple rhymes that would sound natural. It was a process of discovering what I could say in the unusual short form. My original text only uses uppercase for Jesus. I love the idea of seeing Jesus in every child—especially those who are suffering. The genius of Christianity is that we find God with us in our suffering.
I finished the text just in time to drive to Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California, to play the piano for the Autumn Camp Farthest Out. When I had a chance, I went to the chapel alone and sat down at the old Steinway grand. Within a few minutes I had scrawled the tune into my writing book [1992].
—Email with Damon, August 14, 2025
Damon’s text celebrates the idea that Jesus comes like a child, “claiming heart soul and mind” but also “like a child on the street” with “ragged clothes, dirty feet.” Instead of a comfortable, commercialized version of the baby Jesus, Damon challenges us to look at the children around us for glimpses of God’s incarnated presence. The phrase, “like a child,” appears twelve times in three stanzas.
Damon’s text celebrates the idea that Jesus comes like a child, 'claiming heart soul and mind' but also 'like a child on the street' with 'ragged clothes, dirty feet.'
This song paints a picture of a vulnerable and humble God who took on human form (Philippians 2:5–11). It reminds us that “a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6, NRSVue): “like a child born to pray and to show us the way…Jesus comes.”
While singing this Advent carol, let us be inspired to join the first visitors to the stable, the humblest of society, and experience anew the awe and mystery in the birth of this baby. May we find God with us during this coming Advent season “like a child.”
This ongoing Herald series explores the history and context of hymns from Community of Christ Sings. These words and melodies connect us one another and to our identity. Is there a hymn you would like to know more about? Let us know at .