Little Altar Boy

This is one of the most moving songs of faith I've ever heard. I can't listen to it without a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat--because I know that these should be my words.

Little Altar Boy
composed by Howlett Smith

Little altar boy, I wonder could you pray for me?
Little altar boy, for I have gone astray.
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little altar boy, oh, let me hear you pray.

Little altar boy, I wonder could you ask our Lord
Ask him, altar boy, to take my sins away.
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little altar boy, please, let me hear you pray

Lift up your voice and send a prayer above
Help me rejoice and fill that prayer with love
Now I know my life has been all wrong
Lift up your voice and help a sinner be strong.

Little altar boy, I wonder could you pray for me?
Could you tell our Lord I'm gonna change my way today?
What must I do to be holy like you?
Little altar boy, oh, let me hear you pray.

Little altar boy please let me hear you pray!

As in the video below, Little Altar Boy was sung by the immortal Karen Carpenter, and appeared on the Carpenters' album An Old-Fashioned Christmas, which was released in 1984 after Karen's untimely death. The song is in the voice of a person who is so ashamed of her sinful ways that she cannot bear to pray to God herself, but appeals to a young altar boy to pray to Him for her. In this attitude of contrition and humility she is just like the publican spoken of by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke:

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:10-14)

While it's most often heard at Christmas and appeared on a Christmas album, the message of Little Altar Boy transcends the season, and reminds us powerfully of how our relationship with the Lord should be every day. I must all strive to avoid the Pharisee's pride and complacency, and humble myself constantly like the publican--like the anguished yet faithful soul in this song, crying out to God for forgiveness and help.