*This is Week 1 of a 5-part Advent Devotional Series. View our Advent page here.
Week 2
What Child Is This? - Luke 2:1-7
“...And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
One of my favorite commercials of all time was from the 1980’s. A young guy is dabbling with an electric guitar at a bar. An older gentleman walks up and asks to play. After about 30 seconds of the most incredible riffs the young guy has ever heard, he asks, “You’re pretty good. What’s your name?” Les Paul replies back, “It’s on your guitar.” Finding out someone’s identity can be an incredible thrill.
The identity of this baby in our text at first glance seems hard to figure out. Two parents, not of noble reputation or status, traveling almost 100 miles in modest travel arrangements to register for a census and have a baby in a barn. He was born in a manger, a feeding trough for animals turned crib (not exactly from pottery barn). He probably had a soiled diaper within a few hours and likely spit up more than his parents thought possible. Yet those who are familiar with the scriptures know he is the one foretold who will reconcile a lost and broken people back to their creator. He will live a perfect life in perfect obedience to God the father, walk to his death on a cross and experience the wrath of God on our behalf overcoming death by rising again. Now, we have something so much better than a guitar with his name on it, we have his Spirit he sent to dwell in our hearts.
Have you made this connection when reading this passage in Luke before? That in addition to this great mystery of the gospel now revealed to us in Christ, this passage is the beginning of your reconciliation to God? The work he did in his life, on the cross, and now interceding for you in heaven has provided you and all who trust in him with the greatest gift imaginable. This Christmas, come and behold him in all his glory, majesty, and power. This is Christ the King. He is our only hope. Emmanuel, God with us.
- Tim Pitzer
WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
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
Why lies he in such mean estate, where oxen now are 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
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant king, to honor 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.
Text: Traditional English carol, adapted by William C. Dix, ca. 1865
Tune: GREENSLEEVES 8.7.8.7.ref, English melody, 16th cent.