This is my favorite hymn this Christmas.
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!
Have you ever heard the second verse to this song?
Why lies he is such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
The silent word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
The cross he borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary!
Those violent and dark images completely interrupt our cuddly mental pictures of baby Jesus...
Or is it the light of Jesus that interrupts the darkness?
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!
2 comments:
So true!! Hey, you know all those months you had your new address posted on your blog? I never did copy it down. Could you send it my way so I can send you all a Chrismas card? Thanks!!! Merry Christmas! We think about you often and you are in our prayers!
Blessings!
Emily - I'm praying for your family this Christmas. The holidays are so rough when pain and uncertainty seem so overwhelming. We just sang that song this week in church and I am overwhelmed by the awesome beauty that those nails and spears piercing him are ways God uses His beautiful light to conquer darkness, just like when Jesus was born as a baby. These religious holidays and celebrations are here to remind us of these heavy truths, right? Many blessings to you guys!!
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