The Christmas carol by William Dix asks,

“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?”

Since the Christmas season should celebrate the birth of Jesus, the question of His identity and mission deserves our informed consideration.

Biblical prophecies give significant information about the promised deliverer. For example, Isaiah prophesied in the eighth century B.C.

“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

The prophet indicated that this child would be more than a religious or political leader; He would be divine.

The New Testament writer, Matthew, quotes from another prophecy of Isaiah and identifies its fulfillment with the virgin birth of Christ:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us'” (Matt. 1:23).

When the Wise Men arrived in Israel looking for the newborn king they inquired in Jerusalem regarding His whereabouts. King Herod consulted the Bible scholars who replied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. They quoted from the prophecy of Micah:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

The unique star in the sky brought them to Israel; the Biblical prophecy brought them to Bethlehem. The famous gifts of the wise men revealed their faith and reverence for the Christ child.

“What child is this”? How we answer this foundational question determines whether this season will be a cultural holiday or a spiritual celebration!

Read the New Testament Gospels with this question in mind. Following the birth of Jesus Christ we see the supernatural excellence of His character, teaching, claims, and miracles. Following the Crucifixion and Resurrection, the apostle John gives this summary with the offer salvation:

“Now Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30,31, NET).

The writer of the carol declared the joyful faith of all who receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior:

“This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud—
the babe, the Son of Mary.”

Words: William C. Dix (1837-1898), The Manger Throne, 1865.

Music: “Greensleeves,” 16th Century English melody

Copyright 1998 by John Woodward. Permission is granted to reprint this article for non-commercial use. Please credit Grace Fellowship International. Scripture quotations (unless indicated otherwise) are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.