Anthem Lights - What Child Is This? Lyrics
Lyrics
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
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
Oh-ohh
This, this is Christ the king
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of Mary
The babe, the son of Mary
Video
What Child Is This? (Feat. Morgan Ranney) | Anthem Lights
Meaning & Inspiration
Anthem Lights' 2021 release, "What Child Is This?" featuring Morgan Ranney, isn't just another rendition of a beloved Christmas carol; it's a profound invitation to gaze anew at the mystery of the Incarnation. This rendition courageously steps beyond a simple retelling of the Nativity scene to explore the weighty theological implications of God becoming man. The song immediately grounds itself in the iconic imagery of the manger, posing the central, yet often overlooked, question: who is this vulnerable infant, so humbly laid to rest on Mary's lap? The lyrics echo the astonishment of the shepherds and the celestial chorus of angels, not as mere historical reportage, but as expressions of awe at the divine majesty concealed within human frailty. The true power of this song lies in its direct answer to that initial query: "This, this is Christ the king." It refuses to let the familiar narrative obscure the earth-shattering truth that the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings spoken of in prophecy, has entered His own creation in the most unexpected way. This echoes the anticipation found in Isaiah 9:6, where the child born to us is described as "Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The call to "haste, haste to bring him laud" isn't just about offering gifts; it's a plea to recognize and honor His rightful place. The offering of "incense, gold, and myrrh" is powerfully recontextualized. While historically the wise men brought these gifts, Anthem Lights uses them to signify the worship and homage due to this "peasant king." The gold speaks to His royalty, the frankincense to His divine nature and priestly role, and the myrrh to His humanity and future suffering. This triad of gifts, as explored in Matthew 2:11, becomes a symbolic representation of our own response to Christ's kingship – acknowledging His dominion, His sacred office, and His sacrificial love. The repeated refrain, "The king of kings, salvation brings," is the theological heart of the piece, directly aligning with biblical declarations like John 3:16 and 1 Timothy 1:15, which underscore Christ's mission as the deliverer of humanity. The song encourages us to not just witness this birth, but to actively "let loving hearts enthrone him." This is a call to interior submission and devotion, moving beyond outward celebration to a personal embrace of Christ's reign in our lives. The soaring declaration, "The virgin sings her lullaby," while beautiful, also carries the weight of prophecy fulfilled, as foretold in Isaiah 7:14, highlighting the miraculous nature of His birth. Ultimately, "What Child Is This?" by Anthem Lights is an inspiring theological exploration, a reminder that the familiar story of Christmas is an encounter with the divine, demanding our worship, our surrender, and our wholehearted devotion to the King who came not with earthly power, but with the transformative gift of salvation.