"What Child is This?" encourages my heart on the precious birth of Jesus Christ as I reflect on and sing Christmas hymns this year. At the age of 29, William Dix penned this hymn in 1865. It was composed shortly after he recovered from a near fatal illness in which he was confined to bed rest for a number of months and went into depression.
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?
Refrain:
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.
(Refrain)
So bring him incense,
gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king, to own him;
the King of kings salvation
brings, let loving hearts enthrone him.
(Refrain)
