What Child Is This?
Third Day (Holiday) Lyrics

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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

Nails and spears shall pierce Him through
The Cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
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

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant, king to own Him
The king of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
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

The Babe, the Son of Mary
The Babe, the Son of Mary

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "What Child Is This?" describe the birth of Jesus as a humble yet miraculous event. The song begins by asking a question about the identity of the child lying in Mary's lap, who is visited by angels and guarded by shepherds. The answer is revealed in the chorus: this is Christ the King, the son of Mary.

The lyrics then move on to describe the coming crucifixion of Jesus, predicting the piercing of his hands and feet with nails and spears, and the carrying of the cross for the sake of humanity's salvation. Despite this grim prophecy, the song implores listeners to hail the Word made flesh in the form of the baby Jesus.

In the final verse, the song takes on a celebratory tone, encouraging people of all classes and stations in life to come and worship the king of kings with gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh, and to enthrone him in their hearts with love.

Overall, "What Child Is This?" captures the mystery, majesty, and sacrifice of the Christmas story, inviting listeners to partake in the wonder of Christ's birth and the joy of his redemption.

Line by Line Meaning

What child is this who, laid to rest
Who is this child that is peacefully sleeping

On Mary's lap is sleeping
Resting on the lap of his mother Mary

Whom angels greet with anthem sweet
Angels joyfully welcome him with sweet anthems

While shepherds watch are keeping
As the shepherds stand guard and watch over him

This, this is Christ the King
This child is the ruler of all, the Messiah

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds protect him while the angels sing his praises

Haste, haste to bring him laud
Quickly, let us give him honor and praise

The Babe, the Son of Mary
He is only a newborn child, the son of Mary

Nails and spears shall pierce Him through
In the future, he will suffer pain and wounds from being nailed to a cross

The Cross be borne for me, for you
He will carry the burden of the cross to save us all

Hail, hail the Word made flesh
Praise and honor the divine Word made human

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Present him with precious gifts: incense, gold, and myrrh

Come peasant, king to own Him
Whether you are a peasant or a king, acknowledge and accept him as your own

The king of kings salvation brings
The ruler of all brings salvation to his people

Let loving hearts enthrone Him
May our hearts be filled with love as we give him the place of honor he deserves

The Babe, the Son of Mary
He is still just a small baby, the son of Mary

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: Tai Anderson, Mark Lee, David Carr, Mac Powell, Brad Avery

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@joifulstories

3y↑2

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

Nails and spears shall pierce Him through
The Cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
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

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant, king to own Him
The king of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
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
The Babe, the Son of Mary
The Babe, the Son of Mary

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Tai Anderson / Mark Lee / David Carr / Mac Powell / Brad Avery
What Child Is This? lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

All comments from YouTube:

@peterdeschenes3466

5y↑18

Absolutely love Third Days rendition of this song, Mac does an awesome job with the vocals on this and the band does an outstanding job really brining the song together! "Hail, Hail the Word made flesh, the Babe, the Son of Mary!" Merry Christmas all!