Tuesday, December 20, 2005

I've been listening to a version of the song What Child is This by the band Carbon Leaf.* They offered it as a download in the past, but it appears to be unavailable now.

I'm familiar with the version sung in my church growing up, where the chorus is the same for all three verses of the song. However, this version (and other versions) don't repeat the same chorus apart from the closing line "The babe, the son of Mary".

Take a minute and read (don't skim, don't glance through, but read) these lyrics. The second verse "chorus" stops me in my tracks every time I hear it.

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 ox and ass are feeding
Good Christian fear for sinners here
The silent word is pleading
Nails, 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

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


* Carbon Leaf have several MP3 Downloads available on their web site. Hit the 'Media' option in the left sidebar/menu, then look for the downloads link.

Post Author: rico
Tuesday, December 20, 2005 4:39:41 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00) 

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Tuesday, December 20, 2005 5:11:12 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
We had someone sing this version in our church this past Sunday, and when I heard the different words of the chorus, it floored me. It's nice to hear something beyond the standard "no crying he makes" crud this time of year.

(Related note: Why is it that no one preaches on the cross at Christmastime? It seems perfectly logical to me - after all, the Incarnation had a goal in view...)

-- john
John
Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9:20:39 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Preach the cross at Christmas? I did, John. Last Sunday. Well, not just on the cross. I was charged with preaching a pinch-hit "Christmas" sermon, so I took Hebrews 1 & 2 and taught on the humiliation (with inevietable reference to the cross). You might have enjoyed it.
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