What Child is This | Rhonda McMahan
…but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” He said. “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, the city of David!”
Luke 2:10-11
I’ve worked with children for over 20 years and one thing I know about our precious ones is their tendency to ask a lot of questions. Don’t get me wrong, I love their curious hearts to try to understand, but there are times where I wonder how many more questions will be asked. Anyone with me?
What I love about the hymn, “What Child is This,” is the question and answer rhythm of the song. It gives us a picture of our Savior coming as a baby to a waiting world. Written in 1865 by William Dix, the hymn gives the perspective of what the shepherd’s may have been wondering during the encounter with the Christ child and then offers the answer.
“What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?”
Mary’s heart pondered what she saw as she looked at the baby. God used her to bring about the greatest miracle; the Savior’s birth. There he was, sleeping in her arms; and at the same time the King of Kings. The awaited Messiah that would bring about salvation to the entire world.
This, this is Christ, the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing…
Did you hear the answer? He is Christ the King. The shepherds knew because they had been instructed by the angel to go and see. Can you imagine their excitement? They had been waiting for so long and now their waiting was over. He was here! Yes, they were afraid, but put yourself in their position. They were told that good news had come. Great joy was here for all people.
The hymn continues with the line that I’ve been thinking a lot about during this season. In fact, I’ve stopped at a red light on more than one occasion and belted this line out. I’m glad my windows were up and no one could hear my voice echoing out. But, it truly is the desire of my heart.
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the Son of Mary.
In our own efforts to get all the things done from our to do list, I wonder if you, like myself, forget to sometimes stop and hurry to bring Jesus honor and affection. When you are focused on one thing, other things around you begin to fade in comparison. Hurry, hurry to bring Jesus honor! The honor that is due Him. Adore and praise Him for who He is and what He has done for us.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
As our heart’s attention and affection turn and remain on Christ, we enthrone Him. We place Jesus in the rightful place of our heart. Pastor Chuck says this so wonderfully; “When you get Jesus in the right priority of your life, everything else falls in the right priority.”
What child is this?This child is our Savior and the King of kings. This child brings peace to every hurting heart. This child is the Word made flesh for us. This child has brought good news of great joy. Let’s hurry to bring Him honor. May we place Him in the rightful place of our hearts.
Prayer:
“God, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the good news of great joy. Thank you for the hope we have in His arrival, His life, His death, and resurrection. Help us to hurry to bring You honor and keep our heart’s affection tuned to You so that others see You above anything else. Amen.”
