Good morning. Well, as we enter into the month of December, I have 3 weeks of it that I will be here and able to preach. Then on Christmas Eve morning, will be the Cantata, and Kyle will deliver a message, and then on the 31 is youth Sunday, and Kyle will deliver another message. But, for the next 3 weeks, I have 3 Christmas songs that we either sing or we hear on the radio.
Now my favorite Christmas song would either be “The Redneck 12 days of Christmas,” or “This Rusty Chevrolet.” But aside from those great songs, the songs that we will look at in the next 3 weeks are my favorite Christmas songs, and I hope that you enjoy them as well. We will start with the first one today.
William Chatterton Dix lived from 1837-1898, and he may have written 2 Christmas hymns on the same day. Possibly on what is called Epiphany Day, in 1859. Epiphany Day is believed to be January 6th, and is associated with the arrival of the Magi to see Jesus. Dix did not follow his father and go into the ministry, but instead he went into business. But one thing that he did do that his father also did was write. Dix wrote poetry.
Right before his 23rd birthday he was sick for a prolonged time and had to rest. It was during this time that Dix began a careful study of the New Testament. It is believed that on Epiphany Day he preceded to read to them the new hymn he had just written, “As With Gladness Men Of Old.”
Now that is a good song, but it is not one of my favorites, and we are not going to look at that song today. But we are going to look at the other song that he wrote on that same day. The other hymn he wrote was, “What Child is This?” In this hymn Dix mentions the 3 gifts from Jesus’ visitors as does the other song that he wrote. But the greatest feature in this song is his reference to the Lord's death as well as his birth.
Now, just as with all of the other songs that we have taken a look at so far, in both hymns that Dix writes, he is telling the reader to give a response in view of the gift that God has given to sinful man.
At this time, let’s just open with a word or prayer.
The first verse opens by asking us that question. Verse 1 says: “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?”
Well, in verse one we are introduced to the birth of Jesus in away. Turn with we if you will to Luke chapter 2. Here in this chapter, we are given one of the accounts of Jesus’ birth that goes right along with this verse of the song. Here in Luke 2:1-20 it says, “1”
Well, we know this child is Jesus. He has been born of a virgin, and in the place that was prophesied. But I like how the song and the scripture here go together. Both tell of how the angels greeted Jesus with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping.
Do you ever wonder why Jesus’ birth was announced to mere shepherds, and not royalty and famous people of the day? Think about how great of an event this birth was. Even if Jesus is not the Christ, here is a woman that is giving birth supposedly as a virgin. That should have received the greatest crowd, not a bunch of smelly, dirty, uneducated shepherds. So why invite the shepherds?
I think that the main reason these shepherds were invited was to show from the very beginning that Jesus came for everyone, and not just the rich and the powerful. Had the kings, and rulers, and rich people been invited, then people could assume that Jesus was just for them. But by inviting the poor, and the dirty, and the uneducated, God was saying that Jesus is for everyone, no matter what their status is.
On Sunday nights we have been taking a look at some of the powerful encounter that Jesus had with people in His day. For the last couple of weeks, we have taken a look at some pretty bad people that Jesus interacted with and even extended forgiveness to. The thing that we need to realize is that Jesus came for everyone, and that is why His birth was announced to shepherds. Angels greeted Jesus, and they also went and informed these shepherds of the greatest thing to ever happen to mankind.
Now we are not going to take a look at Mary’s thoughts or responses today, because that is part of what we will look at next week. So as we move on to the second verse, just keep in mind that Jesus came for everyone, and then take that message and share it with those that you know who still need to hear it. Now before we look at the chorus of this song, let’s go ahead and look at the other verse to the song.
“O bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, come peasant king to own Him; the King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.”
Well, as Dix was writing these hymns, he was meditating on a section of scripture from Matthew chapter 2, if you want to turn there with me. This verse inspired him to write about the 3 visitors that Jesus received at His birth. Here in Matthew 2:1-12 it says, “2”
So these 3 Magi come and visit Jesus and bring Him offerings of incense, gold, and myrrh. From that part of the song and from that passage of scripture, I think that the main thing that we need to focus on is that each of these “wise men” brought something of value to Jesus. As we examine this passage today, we need to realize that we too need to bring something that’s of value to God as well. And I don’t mean that we need to give a bigger offering in the offering plate, but we do need to make sure that we are offering to God our very best.
We need to offer Him our best worship, our best ministry, our best service, and our best everything. What are you giving to God? Have you been just scraping by and giving Him the smallest or the cheapest part of your life, or are you truly giving Him your best. Are you giving Him something that’s of value? These Magi did just that, and when they left His presence they were different people. They didn’t return and tell where Jesus was, because they knew it was a setup to kill Jesus. So they left His presence and went a different way home.
But then that verse also says, “The King of kings salvation brings.” Let’s look for the inspiration of those words. Look with me at Matthew 1:18-25. Here is another account of the birth of Jesus. Here in Matthew 1:18-25 it says, “2”
Well, the main part of that would be verses 20-23. Again those verses 20-23 says, “2”
So right here off the bat Joseph and Mary are told that their Son should be named Jesus, because He will save all people. So earlier in the Old Testament we are introduced to the idea that there would be a savior born. Then here in the New Testament we are given a glimpse to the future and the reason that Jesus was born in the first place. To save all mankind from their sins. Later in the New Testament we find that Jesus does in deed die, and we are told that it is for the forgiveness of sins, and to pay the penalty for all of us. The King of kings salvation brings.
Then we are told, “Let loving hearts enthrone Him.” You see, at the beginning I told you that both of the hymns that this guy wrote he was telling his readers to give a response to the greatest gift ever given. The response that we need to give is to give our loving hearts to Him. Last week we looked at the song, “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus,” and we discussion the plan of salvation. Well this week, we are to respond in the same way, and it must come from a true heart. Because of the price that this King of kings paid, our love should pour out to Him and completely surround Him.
You see, He loved us so much that He went to the cross for us, and took away our punishment. The least that we can do is to show Him that same love back in the way that we live our lives for Him.
So that takes care of some meaning behind the verses of this wonderful song. Now let’s take a look at the chorus that is sung after each of these verses. The chorus simply says: “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 first part of the chorus tells us that it is Christ the King, and then it just reiterates the fact that the shepherds and angles were there. But then it says, “Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!” This is when the song takes an interesting twist.
Can anyone tell me what that word “LAUD” means? If so, just shout it out?
Well, good old Webster’s Dictionary tells me that the word laud means to give praise. And more specifically to praise with words or song. So this verse is telling us to, “Hurry, hurry and bring Him praise or exaltation, the Babe, the Son of Mary!” When Jesus was born, that is what some people did. They came to praise Him. Today, that is what we are called to do as well. We need to be praising Him in with words, and with songs. That is why we spend time in worship to God. Truly singing praises to Him.
But, even though some came to give Jesus praise, this word could also be prophesying to the death of Jesus. Because the good old Webster’s Dictionary also says that the word could mean to give a eulogy. That is why it is believed that when the author penned this word, he was indeed tying in the death of Jesus along with the birth story.
Turn with me to Isaiah chapter 53. Here in the Old Testament it talks about the purpose and the destiny of Jesus before He even arrives on the scene. Actually starting in 52:13 and reading through 53:12 it says in Isaiah, “3”
You see, Christ came to die for our sins, and to give us forgiveness and a chance at eternal life with Him. In order to give us that chance, from the very beginning, it was known that Jesus would have to die. So I find it amazing that Dix, in writing this hymn about the birth and the beginning of Christ, in some way acknowledged the fact that He was going to die.
As we close this morning, let’s just remember all that this song has to offer us. It not only tells us of the happening at the birth of Christ, but it encourages us to give our very best to God, to truly give Him an offering of value. It reminds us salvation that He brings, and the response that we need to give. And the amazing thing is that it reminds us that from the beginning, it was know that Christ was going to die. No king can take credit for killing Christ, only God can do that, because it was part of His ultimate plan.
So as we approach the Christmas season, don’t let anyone or anything take your focus off of this child. What Child Is This? It is Christ the Lord who came to save us all. Now go out and truly live that message.
At this time we are going to get ready and sing this great Christmas hymn. As we sing this song, think back to all of the meaning behind the words to this song, and truly give Him praise at this time. Also, if there is some kind of a decision that you need to make, I would encourage you to do so today. Take advantage of the gift that Christ desires to give to you, and accept Him today.
Let’s Pray |
