What Child Is This?

This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel... that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. - Luke 2:34-35

One of our most beloved Christmas carols was written in 1865 by William Dix, an Englishman who managed a maritme insurance company and loved to write hymns. Sung to the English melody "Greensleves," some versions use the latter half of the first verse as a chorus for other verses:

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds gurad

and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud -

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

But in other versions, each stanza is unique. The second verse, rarely sang today, look beyond the manger to the cross:

What lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass feeding?

Good Christian, fear, for sinners here,

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the son of Mary.

Simeon said to Mary, "This Child is destined for the fail and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).

The Child of Christmas came to be our Savior. "Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary." - David C. McCasland

The birth of Christ brought God to man; the cross of Christ brings man to God.

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For me, Christmas is a day of 'gift'... from 2000 years ago, God sent His only Son to earth; till 2008 now, people giving away gifts as a way of celebration...

It is same, one is gift from God, and another one is gift from human being... but many of us just don't know the meaning of giving gift...

Jesus Christ was sent to us as a gift... He died for us... and that is the most precious gift we had recieved... as He is the only one who is able and willing to give such a gift...