The beloved Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” captures the meaning and message of Christ’s birth. Written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix, the hymn is set to the English folk tune “Greensleeves” and imagines those present at the nativity asking the question all humanity has longed to know.
The song opens by setting the scene: “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?” The answer is found in the following two verses: “This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing” and “So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him. The King of Kings’ salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.”
The lyrics draw directly from the gospel accounts of Christ’s birth. The image of the Christ child sleeping in Mary’s lap echoes Luke 2:7: “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” The reference to angels greeting his birth with sweet anthems connects to Luke 2:13-14: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” And the line about shepherds keeping watch ties to Luke 2:8: “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
By framing Christ’s birth in this way, the hymn emphasizes both Jesus’ humanity and divinity – that this baby lying helpless and innocent in a manger is also the promised Messiah and “King of kings” prophesied in Scripture (Isaiah 9:6-7, Zechariah 9:9). The hymn captures the incredible miracle and wonder of the incarnation – that the divine Son of God would take on human flesh to save us.
The invitation in the final verse for all to come to worship Christ the newborn king – both peasant and royalty alike – beautifully reflects the accessibility Jesus’ birth brings. This humble child welcomes all into His kingdom, offering salvation freely to any who would receive Him.
Indeed, “What Child is This?” serves as a magnificent and theologically rich Christmas hymn, testifying to the glory, divinity, and salvation in the miracle of Jesus’s birth. May our hearts respond as the lyrics invite: “So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him; The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.”
Josh Cehulik 