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 a a song on high!
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing!
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe the Son of Mary
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through
The Cross He bore for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh the Babe
The Son of Mary
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The carol presents the infant Jesus as Christ the King, holding together the humility of his birth and the majesty of his identity. Mary, shepherds, angels, and gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh place the lyric within the Gospel accounts of the nativity. Its repeated question receives a clear answer: the child resting with Mary is the promised ruler whose arrival calls for praise and loving allegiance.
The final portion also looks beyond Bethlehem to the cross, joining incarnation and salvation in one portrait of Christ. Luke 2:8-14 supports the scene of shepherds hearing angelic praise at his birth, while Matthew 2:11 records the visitors presenting gold, frankincense, and myrrh. John 1:14 also illuminates the description of the Word made flesh. By combining cradle, kingship, worship, and sacrifice, the lyric explains why the child is welcomed with joy and honored as the one who brings salvation.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:8-14 Angels announce Christ’s birth to shepherds and praise God.
- Matthew 2:11 The visitors worship Jesus and present gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- John 1:14 John describes the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among humanity.