What child is this?
Photos are such a treasure. I don’t know about you but sometimes it is difficult to identify the person in a photo. I remember years ago, when my father returned from his mother’s funeral in Oklahoma he commented “make you sure you label and date every photo.” He had spent days sorting through photos trying to identify people. I didn’t necessarily heed his advice so sometimes there is confusion as I try to figure out who is who.
In our digital age, most of our photos are stored on our devices or in the cloud so there aren’t boxes or albums of photos to sort through. Since digital photos are dated it makes it easier to identify when it was taken but who is in the photo may still be tricky. Facial recognition has the ability to make even that a non-issue. But even facial recognition and digital date stamps can’t really tell us who someone is. We can identify photographs of historical figures or celebrities but do we know them? At Christmas, I assume most people can identify the baby in the manger as Jesus but do they know Him?
One of my favorite Christmas songs is “What Child is This?” William Chatterson Dix wrote a poem called “The Manger Throne” which became the stanzas for “What Child is This?” The music is a 16th century English melody called “Greensleeves.”
“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.”
I love the question “what child is this?” but my favorite line is the answer to that question “This, this is Christ the King.” I love the happenings in the Bible that tell us “what child is this?” A couple of examples are in the book of Isaiah, the child’s birth, the Messiah, is foretold.
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7a
I recently read a sermon by Billy Graham entitled “Unto us a child is born” November 29, 2004. reverend Graham stated: “The “Child born” establishes the fact of Christ’s humanity. The “Son given” establishes the fact of His deity. Jesus is the God-man.” As we say in children’s ministry at church, “Jesus is God in people clothes. Fully God and fully man.”
In the book of Luke chapter 2 we read of the angels telling the shepherds “what child is this?”
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 8 -12
Later in the same chapter of Luke we read of Simeon and Anna coming face to face with the baby Jesus and recognizing him as the Messiah.
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:28- 32
“Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38
My prayer for Christmas 2017 is that many will ask “what child is this?” And those of us who know the answer will willing share the good news “This, this is Christ the King”
“Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, 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 a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.”
FYI: There is a wonderful post by Carol on December 8 about Isaiah 9: 6- 7. Both Laurie (Who is the Baby in the Manger? 12/12) and Bernadine (The Shepherd’s Story 12/18) offer great insights into the verses in Luke 2.
I love Christmas. It is the only way, Jesus being born, for us to be reconciled with God. May I always have an answer if I am asked “what child is that”.
Merry Christmas, Ann.