'What Child Is This?'
This hymn raises a
great question, one that every person will be confronted with on the day of
judgment. Who is this Jesus? And the hymn provides some great answers. He is
'Christ the King', 'The silent Word', 'The King of Kings'. The hymn writer
doesn't leave it there, simply to mention some names. He goes on to call us to
respond to this child: 'bring him laud', 'hail the Word made flesh', 'Joy, for
Christ is born'.
What child is this
who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is
sleeping?
Whom angels greet
with anthems sweet,
While shepherds
watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ
the King,
Whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to
bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of
Mary.
Why lies He in such
mean estate,
Where ox and ass are
feeding?
Good Christians,
fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is
pleading.
Nails, spear shall
pierce Him through,
The cross be borne
for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word
made flesh,
The babe, the son of
Mary.
So bring Him
incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king
to own Him;
The King of kings
salvation brings,
Let loving hearts
enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song
on high,
The virgin sings her
lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ
is born,
The babe, the son of
Mary.
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