What Child is This?

William Chatterton Dix, an English poet, wrote the poem “What Child is This” in 1865. You know it; listen to me sing it! It goes like 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.

I know, I sing beautifully, but I digress. When Dix wrote this poem, he tried to imagine what it would be like for people passing by, looking at Jesus in the manger, trying to answer the question, “Who is this? What child is this?”  And that’s the debate of the ages, because everybody on this planet must at some time face the question, “Who is this baby?” “Who is Jesus?” And everybody has an answer. My question to you is, “Who do you recognize Jesus as?” “Who is this babe to you?” My greatest prayer is that you call Him your Savior!!

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given…” Isaiah 9:6