Singing Hymns to Children

I think I may have mentioned in an earlier post that I sing hymns to Enoch while I rock him (before bed/nap time).  Well, I just wanted to post a quick picture of how I do this.  You see, I do not have too many full hymns memorized.. Don't get me wrong, I can sing quite a few different choruses, but full hymns are not my forte.

So, to help me with learning them, I have started taping hymn lyrics to the bookshelf beside our rocking chair.  Right now, we are learning "What a friend we have in Jesus," and up next may be "Crown Him with many crowns."  :)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:16-17, emphasis mine)

Here are a few reasons that I was spurred on to singing hymns (as opposed to traditional nursery rhymes):

• Most hymns (the ones I choose anyway) have edifying, truthful lyrics and some even contain scripture and solid doctrines.
• Hymns are useful as they can be sung in worship to our great God- so I am becoming better learning the words, allowing me to worship through singing hymns when they come to mind, and I hope our children grow up knowing the words as well.
• I find myself singing constantly throughout the day, and I prefer to sing hymns to the Lord rather than annoying nursery rhymes that get stuck in my head and have ridiculous meanings and no edification (surely I'm not the only one who gets annoying kids songs in her head...) 
• My husband (and children) is getting to listen to encouraging, God-centered praise, which also sometimes gets stuck in his head.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.   (Ephesians 5:15-21, emphasis mine)

To be frank, I just feel that this is one easy thing for me to change that will result in more glory to God in my everyday life.  As far as I see it, nursery rhymes usually lack truth and depth.  Hymns are rich in both.  Why not make the simple replacement?