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 donkeys are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spears shall pierce him through, the cross he bore 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.

This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the Son of Mary.

This is one of my favorite Christmas hymns! It always puts my heart in awe of the gravity and in amazement of the occasion that we celebrate. This! This is Christ the KING!

My favorite phrase is “Whom shepherds guard..” What an image! Christ the King of kings, who as a helpless babe is guarded over by the lowliest of the kingdom… a lovely thought.

What is your favorite line in this song and why? Share with us in the comments!

What Child is This? William Chatterton Dix, published ca. 1865