DAY 1

What Child is this?

“And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”

(Mark 4:41)

This Advent season, the age-old question must be asked and answered again.  “What child is this?”  Is he just the babe, the son of Mary?  Or is there more to this child? The heart of this carol is found in the second verse which has been expunged from many modern renditions of this old favorite.  This child was born to die.  His cradle was overshadowed by the cross.  “Nails, spear shall pierce Him through.  The cross he borne for me, for you.” When this greatest of questions is answered, it brings new life and joy, not simply for a season of time but rather for all of our life.

WHAT CHILD IS THIS

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 Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross he 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.