Jesus's Words

What Child is This?

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Contents

About the Carol

William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) wrote "What Child is This?" in 1865 while severely sick. It was during his recovering that Dix went under a spiritual renewal that lead him to write many hymns, including this one.

Lyrics Back to Top ↑

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 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!

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!

Analysis of Carol Back to Top ↑

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 ass are feeding?

Jesus lies in such a lowly estate because Bethlehem was overflowing with guests, there was not room for them all. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.Luke 2:7

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Jesus came not for the righteous, such as the Pharisees, but for the sinners. This is a message he said often. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Matthew 9:13 And When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Mark 2:17 cf. Luke 5:32

Nails, spear shall pierce him through,

A reference to the nailing of Jesus to the cross, which also follows a prophecy from David. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.Psalm 22:16

The Cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word Made Flesh,

A reference to the opening of the fourth gospel, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John 1:14

The babe, the son of Mary!

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;

A reference to the three gifts the wise men brought. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.Matthew 2:11

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!
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