Jesus is this Child. This Child is God. Why is that so important?
The lyrics of this song will show us. The first verse speaks of Jesus’ kingship. We must haste to bring worship to our King Jesus! This baby was guarded and sang over by an audience of shepherds and angels.
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!
What child, indeed! Luke 2:16-20 tells us how the shepherds give us a magnificent way of witnessing! The shepherds astonished everyone with their story! How are we doing in terms of telling “everyone” we know about Jesus? Do you ever feel unsafe or unwelcome for sharing your faith?
The next verse will take an abrupt turn to Jesus’ pleading for our lives by giving his own. How oddly beautiful that our Christmas message is also intertwined with our promise of salvation. After all, that was Jesus’ mission here on earth.
Why lies he in such mean estate
where oxen now are feeding?
Good Christians, fear; for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through;
the cross he’ll bear for me, for you.
hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary!
Even as Jesus laid as a helpless infant in his mother’s arms, he was destined to die for us. Read Acts 2:22-23. Jesus is also our biggest fan, now watching over us from heaven. Romans 8:34 says, “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”
It doesn’t seem like the right “season” to be picturing nails piercing through Jesus on the cross. But as the carol points out, Jesus was born to die. So, celebrating the birth means we also celebrate the death. We should always remember what this tiny infant did for us. What child is this who would do that for us?
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 the song on high;
the virgin sings her lullaby.
joy, joy, for Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary!
Mary has her lullaby, but we have our song of rejoicing. Our Salvation has come. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.”
Such interesting gifts being requested here. Each with a very symbolic meaning, or so I’ve heard. Christianity.com has a great article on the significance of gold, frankincense, and myrrh you can read here.
Take some time today to ponder this baby born to save!
Let’s pray. King Jesus, I thank you for stripping yourself of your royal position to put on flesh for me. To think you love me so much to die for me, redeem me, and take my sins upon yourself. I don’t need to feel unprepared to serve you because you will provide all that I need as I need it. I trust you and adore you, Christ the Lord. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
