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.
Today we celebrate the child born to us, for us: Jesus!
We join with all who have gone before us who also believed the Good News when we add our voices to those of the angels and sing His praises.
Not just as Christmas time, but especially now.
There have been many moments in history where I believe the angels have sung God’s praises in adoration and awe at His creative might, but possibly none as mind boggling as that night.
The King over everything seen and unseen, full of all power, wisdom and majesty, born as a humble baby in the unlikeliest of situations:
Born to a Virgin,
step son to a carpenter,
arriving away from home,
wrapped in the same swaddling clothes that are used in burial services,
with angels, shepherds and wise men coming to offer what they had to their newborn King.
What a sight that would have been to behold live!
Yet despite the time delay, the Word recorded this snapshot of miraculous history in the collection of His Words for us, so we too can wonder at the marvels of His plan.
God with us.
God one of us.
God tangible.
God touchable.
God’s love on live display!
I have enjoyed taking a closer look at some of the traditional and newer carols as Christmas drew near.
It has confirmed for me that what, rather Who, I really need to take a closer look at tends to stay only a baby in the manger if we aren’t careful to see Him as the whole King He really is.
For God with us is the One and the same Messiah who saved our sins, Christ who died for our sins on the cross, and triumphant King who rose again!
May the echo of all He is resonate and resound through the world, and overflow out of the love and appreciation we have for the One we receive with open hearts!
He is born, hallelujah!
Historical Background:
This wonderful Carol was written in William Chatterton Dix in 1865, and is sung to the beautiful Greensleeves folk tune arranged by John Stainer, which was first referred to in 1580s.
KARLA LEES 