What Child Is This

Song Meaning

Stacie Orrico's rendition of "What Child Is This" isn't just another Christmas carol; it's a study in the psychology of reverence. The lyrics, steeped in traditional Christian iconography, bypass simple storytelling, instead tapping into the primal human need for something greater than ourselves. The opening lines, "What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?," immediately establish a sense of both vulnerability and profound significance. The juxtaposition of a sleeping infant with the attention of angels and shepherds creates a powerful tension, hinting at a divine potential hidden within the ordinary. The song meaning, therefore, resides not just in the narrative but in the emotional space it creates for the listener to contemplate this paradox. The repetition of "This, this, this is Christ the King" acts as a mantra, reinforcing the central claim of the song and driving home the awe and majesty. The lyrics analysis reveals that the song is less about historical accuracy and more about the feeling of encountering the sacred. The inclusion of "incense, gold, and myrrh" isn't just a recounting of gifts but a symbolic offering of the senses, wealth, and even mortality to this higher power. Orrico's phrasing, combined with the timeless melody, amplifies the psychological pull. The lines "Haste, haste to bring him laud" suggest an urgency, a fear of missing out on something transformative. This urgency speaks to the human desire for meaning and purpose, the innate drive to connect with something beyond the mundane. Ultimately, "What Child Is This" functions as an invitation to momentarily suspend disbelief and embrace the possibility of the divine within the human, offering solace and hope amidst the uncertainties of life. The closing affirmations solidify this concept with the lines "He is our everything, he is the one, he is the son of Mary."