What Child Is This

Song Meaning

The lyrics pose a central question: "What Child is This?" immediately establishing a scene of quiet wonder. The image of the infant "sleeping" on "Mary's lap" contrasts with the grand pronouncements of "angels greet with anthems sweet" and the watchful "shepherds." This juxtaposition immediately sets up a tension between the humble reality of a newborn and the divine significance being revealed. The core of the song lies in the unfolding revelation of the child's identity. The narrator, through repeated declarations, confirms "This, This is Christ, the King." This isn't just any baby; he is presented as the "Babe, the Son of Mary" but also the "King of Kings." The lyrics urge a response of adoration and offering, asking listeners to "bring Him, incense, gold, and myrrh," bridging the gap between the earthly and the divine. The craft here hinges on repetition and direct address. The insistent "This, This" emphasizes the certainty of the identification, while the repeated calls to "Haste, haste" and "O come, adore our King!" create a sense of urgency and communal worship. The inclusion of the angelic proclamation, "Glory in the highest," further elevates the child from a simple infant to a figure of cosmic importance, demanding a universal response from "all creation." Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics comes from their ability to transform a seemingly ordinary scene into a moment of profound theological significance. The simple questions and direct commands invite the listener to participate in the awe, moving from passive observation to active veneration of the divine child presented as both vulnerable and sovereign.