What Child Is This?

Verse 1

1. What child is this, who, laid to restLuke 2:7and she bore a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him down in a manger, since the guest room had no space for them.
2. On Mary’s lap is sleeping?Beyond Luke says Mary laid him in a manger. He does not say he slept.
3. Whom angels greet with anthems sweetLuke 2:13All at once there was with the angel a vast crowd of heaven’s army, praising God and saying,
4. While shepherds watch are keeping?Luke 2:8There were shepherds in that same area who were staying out in the open country, standing guard over their flock through the night.
5. This, this is Christ the KingLuke 2:11this very day in David’s city a Savior has been born for you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.
6. Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
7. Haste, haste to bring him laudLuke 2:16They went quickly and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and to the baby lying in the manger.
8. The babe, the son of MaryMark 6:3Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Verse 2

1. Why lies he in such mean estate2 Corinthians 8:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2. Where ox and ass are feeding?Isaiah 1:3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.Beyond Luke names no animals. The ox and donkey come from Isaiah 1:3.
3. Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
4. The silent Word is pleadingHebrews 7:25So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.
5. Nails, spear shall pierce him throughJohn 19:34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
6. The cross be borne for me, for youJohn 19:17and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
7. Hail, hail the Word made fleshJohn 1:14The Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us. We looked on his glory, glory like that of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.
8. The babe, the son of Mary

Verse 3

1. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrhMatthew 2:11They went into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling down, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
2. Come, peasant, king, to own himLuke 2:15After the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Come, let us make our way to Bethlehem and see this event that has taken place, which the Lord has revealed to us.”
3. The King of kings salvation bringsRevelation 19:16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.
4. Let loving hearts enthrone him
5. Raise, raise the song on highPsalm 96:1Sing to Yahweh a new song; sing to Yahweh, all the earth.
6. The virgin sings her lullabyLuke 1:46Then Mary said, “My soul declares the greatness of the Lord,Beyond Mary’s song in Luke comes before the birth. A lullaby is the carol’s picture.
7. Joy, joy, for Christ is bornLuke 2:10The angel told them, “Do not be afraid, for look, I am proclaiming to you good news of great joy that will belong to all the people:
8. The babe, the son of Mary