Vonnegut sets the stage for the re-delivery of this epigraph by describing how Billy Pilgrim wept for the horses he was unknowinly tortoring. This is another famous testament to Pilgrim's innocence, as he has just destroyed the well being of the lives of two innocent horses. Vonnegut goes on to say that even later in his life, Billy would cry seldomly, privately, and quietly. He says, "Billy cried very little, though he often saw things worth crying about, and in that respect, at least, he resembled the Christ of the carol:
The cattle are lowing,
The baby awakes.
But the little Lord Jesus
No crying he makes."
In my opinion, this rhyme serves as the epigraph because it is suggestive of the theme; Billy Pilgrim, like that of Jesus Christ, is innocent and undeserving of the fate he has been given. Despite being handed this unfortunate destiny, neither characters object. The cattle of misfortune and negativity lowers, yet no crying does poor baby Pilgrim make.
I like your connection between Jesus Christ and Billy. The rhyme, though focusing on Jesus, can be applied to Billy's innocence, even though the two don't seem like a likely pair.
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