What Child Is This?

From Carols & Lessons for Advent on YouVersion

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.

This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
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.

This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41)

One of the most beautiful old English tunes is “Greensleeves,” which dates at least to the Middle Ages and was mentioned by Shakespeare. In the 19th century another of those prolific Anglican hymn writers named William C. Dix wrote the lovely words of “What Child Is This?” to fit this tune.

It’s a good question: What child is this? As we see with faith’s eye the baby with Mary his mother watching over him in the stable, and realize that at the same time this helpless infant is the eternal Word of God through whom all things were made, we should be filled with wonder. It reminds us of the question his disciples would later ask, after they saw him silence a stormy lake with a single word of command. “What manner of man is this…?” (Mark 4:41 KJV). And just as the disciples were awestruck and frightened when they caught a glimpse of Jesus’ true nature, so Dix urges us to a kind of reverential fear at the sight of God lying in a feed box.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding? 
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

But we need to do more than wonder at the mystery of God made man. We need to respond to him appropriately.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone him.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41