Advent #16-What Child is this?

Here is another Christmas carol that we sing each year.
What Child is this

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.

When we read those words and start to sing the melodies in our head we tend to forget the theological significance of this song. This is a Christmas carol we sing at Jesus birth but it is a song that talks about His death as much as His birth. It answers the question of Why was Jesus born? Amen for songs that can be sung in December but show us the hope and meaning of the cross.