What Child is This? (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 296)
1 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
2 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 through,
the cross be borne for me, for you;
hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary.
3 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.
Text: William C. Dix; Music: English ballad; Public Domain
Devotion
I first loved the tune of this hymn when I heard it as part of a movie track years ago. The singer was singing about his love for the lady Greensleeves. Then I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is also for a Christmas hymn describing our awe of Jesus coming to us in the form of a baby. At all times of the year, it is good to remember that God so loved us that God was willing to live among us in the form of a helpless baby and to experience growing up as a human being. It helps us to see Jesus in this way when we may be unable to get our minds around a God who cannot be seen with our eyes but instead is heard in the words of scripture.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coming to us in the form of a tiny baby and showing us that you know what it is like to be a human being. Thank you for walking with us as we seek to follow your word and look for signs of your guidance in our lives. Amen.