“What child is this who lay to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping”
What Child is This
For this season of my life, “What Child is This?” (number 219 in the United Methodist hymnal) is my favorite Christmas carol.
I love it as it depicts all of the well-known characters of the nativity: the angels, the shepherds, the ox and donkey, and even the gifts of the Magi – gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The real joy comes in the answer, the refrain, declaring “This, this is Christ the King !!!” There is no doubt in William Dix’s (the author of this hymn) mind who this baby is.
Why is this baby so special? This is the promised king, the hope of the world, the Savior of us all!
In Amy Grant’s Christmas song “Welcome to our World” she shares powerful lyrics about who this baby is:
Fragile finger sent to heal us,
Tender brow prepared for thorn,
Tiny heart whose blood will save us,
Unto us is born. Unto us is born.
We have had a difficult couple of years. Like so many of you, I have lost loved ones in that time frame, notably my mother and my brother. Holidays are often the most difficult for us as we learn a new normal, carrying on those treasured traditions without our loved ones.
Whenever I get dismayed about the circumstances around me, I remember who is beside me, conquering all my woes.
What child is this? This is Christ the King – our Savior. The promised Son of God.
To God be the Glory.
Judy Oguich
Adoration of the magi
st. michael toronto
