What Child Is This
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This Sunday:
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This week, we continue our Advent Sermon Series we're looking at the hymn, "What Child Is This?" written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865. Dix proves to us all that no matter what your vocation, you can make an impact on the world. He was an insurance company manager, but loved writing hymns and poetry. He paired the words with a beloved folk tune, popular at the time.
Dix struggled with personal crisis. He dealt often left him bedridden and deeply depressed. It was during this struggle that he wrong the words to this beloved song along with others.
Dix struggled with personal crisis. He dealt often left him bedridden and deeply depressed. It was during this struggle that he wrong the words to this beloved song along with others.
Verse 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?”
- Luke 2:8-14 (NLT): “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them… The angel reassured them, ‘Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem.’”
- This verse echoes the angelic announcement and the shepherds’ role as the first witnesses of Christ’s birth.
Chorus: “This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.”
- Luke 2:15-16 (NLT): “When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.”
- This highlights the recognition of Jesus as the King and Messiah, worthy of worship and praise.
- Matthew 2:11 (NLT): “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
- The wise men’s response to Jesus confirms His identity as Christ the King.
- The wise men’s response to Jesus confirms His identity as Christ the King.
Verse 2: “Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here The silent Word is pleading.”
- Luke 2:7 (NLT): “She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”
- This reflects Jesus’ humble birth in a manger, surrounded by animals, which contrasts sharply with His divine nature as the Word of God.
- John 1:14 (NLT): “So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.”
- This verse connects to the line “the silent Word is pleading,” as it emphasizes Jesus as the incarnate Word of God, humbly coming to earth to intercede for sinners.
Verse 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.”
- Matthew 2:11 (NLT): “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
- This verse references the gifts brought by the Magi (wise men), symbolizing Jesus’ role as King (gold), Priest (frankincense), and Sacrificial Savior (myrrh).
- Revelation 19:16 (NLT): “On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”
- The phrase “King of kings salvation brings” ties into Jesus’ ultimate authority as the King of all kings, who came to bring salvation to all.
- The phrase “King of kings salvation brings” ties into Jesus’ ultimate authority as the King of all kings, who came to bring salvation to all.
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