What Child Is This?

 

You need the original, full version of this carol to answer two questions...

The first question is, WHAT?
What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?

A baby on a mother's lap isn't unusual. But this is mother is propped up --probably on piles of hay-- in a stable, rocking her baby to sleep. In the countryside outside of town, the birth announcement was given by angels--to peasant shepherds, of all people!

What kind of baby deserves an angelic message to shepherds? A king. Not just any king. This ruler "will shepherd God's people Israel." (Matthew 2:6, New American Standard, 1995

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.

The second stanza begins with another question, WHY?
Why is this future king born in a stable instead of a palace?

The Word of God--every truth that God has revealed--was ultimately revealed "in the flesh," in a real, live Person. (John 1:14)

Why the stable? Because He was taking on the humblest role possible. As an adult, he willingly accepted the ultimate humbling in a criminal's execution. (John 19:34; Philippians 2:8) All so that we could be forgiven. The original wording of the carol summarizes this.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
 Good Christian, fear for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
Nails, spear, shall pierce Him thro',
The Cross be borne, for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Peasant shepherds worshiped Him by their presence, by sharing the news (Luke 2:15). Wealthy magi traveled for two years to later worship Him with gold, incense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). You are also invited to "worship Christ as Lord of your life." (1 Peter 3:15; Revelation 17:14, New Living Translation, 2015)

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 the song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Lyrics: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/w/h/a/t/c/whatcist.htm
Painting: Paul Carlson