Good morning. As I mentioned yesterday, for this week leading to Christmas, I thought that it would be interesting to do a little background work on some of our favorite Christmas Carols, those wonderful songs of Christmas. The song I would like to have us consider today is “What Child Is This?” It is a song that has always felt to me as “heart felt.” The song asks questions and gives answers, but ultimately provides a great encouragement.
As I mentioned yesterday as I shared the poem, “The Manger Throne,” in 1865, William Chatterton Dix was 29 years old and worked as the manager of an insurance company. In the middle of that year, he fell very ill. As the illness lingered, he fell into a severe depression. This began as a dark and miserable period of his life, but God intervened. When he felt the darkness closing in and the hope of good health not coming, he found comfort and inspiration by reading God’s Word. As he read the Word, he often felt himself inspired. William Chatterton Dix went on to write several pieces of poetry, many of which found their way into songs and hyms. But it all started with his near fatal illness and his decision to immerse himself in God’s Good News. Because he began his scripture reading with the gospels, the first poems/songs that he wrote were fitting for Christmas. The first of those was “What Child Is This?”
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 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.
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 a song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
I hope that you took, or will take, a few moments to truly ponder the words of this old Christmas hymn. I think that they really express the wonder of our Christmas season, and even the blessing that Christ brings to each of us as our Savior.
When first included in a book of carols in 1871, “What Child Is This?” was put to the music of the rather well-known folk song “Greensleeves.” While “Greensleeves” was completely secular in nature, it had a melody that most people knew. This was very common for early Christian hymns, and in fact many hymns were first put to the music of songs sung in pubs and even brothels. I am not sure what the patrons of those establishments thought of hearing their favorite drinking songs being sung with Christian words and themes. Perhaps it encouraged them to join in the singing through which the Good News was all the more shared.
God bless your day of worship. This Christmas season feels challenged with COVID and weather issues, but the Good News of our Messiah, Immanuel, will not be denied or even diminished!
Vern