Connecting the Dots

Here is another Christmas carol that we sing each year. This song, sometimes, is not only sung in worship services, but it also sung on a caroling adventure, or as a special number right at Christmas. I remember singing this song at a Christmas Eve service, while holding a candle. So, the song, “What Child is this”, is at times much more than a normal carol we sing during the month of December.

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. This song connects the dots in many places, from the wooden manger, to the wooden Cross. It tells the full weight of why, God became flesh. 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.