Christmas always brings questions — What should we get the kids? How are we going to fit everything in? Will the weather cooperate for travel? But there’s one question that stands above all the rest — the one that has echoed through centuries: “What child is this?”
It’s the question the shepherds must have whispered that night in Bethlehem. It’s what the wise men wondered as they laid their gifts before Him. It’s what King Herod feared when he heard that a new King had been born.
And it’s still the question that every person must answer at Christmas: Who is this child in the manger?
The Child Who Came in Humility
Luke’s Gospel tells the story so simply: “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:7)
No royal fanfare. No palace. No crown. Just a young couple, a quiet stable, and the soft cry of a newborn. But don’t mistake simplicity for insignificance. This was no ordinary baby.
This was God in flesh — the eternal Word wrapped in humanity. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” That phrase — “made his dwelling” — literally means “He pitched His tent among us.” God moved into our neighborhood. He came close enough to be seen, heard, and touched.
That’s the miracle of Christmas: the God who is beyond the stars came near enough to hold. The King of heaven entered our world not in glory, but in humility — to show that His love has no distance limits.
He didn’t come to impress us. He came to invite us.
The Child Who Saves
The angel’s message to the shepherds was clear and personal: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11)
The Savior has been born to you. Not just to the world, but to you.
That’s what makes this story so personal. Jesus didn’t just come to offer advice or moral guidance. He came to rescue. He came to save us from sin and restore us to relationship with God.
Matthew 1:21 says, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” That’s what the name “Jesus” means — “The Lord saves.” From the cradle to the cross, His mission never changed.
And here’s the good news: salvation isn’t something you earn. It’s something you receive. The same grace that sent Jesus into the world is the grace that saves you today.
So when we sing “What Child Is This?” and reach the line, “This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing,” we’re not singing about a distant deity — we’re celebrating a Savior who stepped into our brokenness to bring hope, peace, and forgiveness.
The Child Who Reigns
The story doesn’t end in the manger. The child who came in humility now reigns in majesty.
After the angels’ announcement, the shepherds hurried to see for themselves. Luke 2:16–17 says, “They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them.”
They didn’t just witness history; they joined it. They became the first messengers of the gospel. Their ordinary night turned into a moment of eternal significance. That’s what happens when you encounter Jesus — you go back to the same life, but not as the same person. The shepherds returned to their fields, but they carried a new message. They went back to their routines, but now they had a reason to rejoice.
The King who came to them now ruled within them. And that’s still true today. The same Jesus who came to earth now reigns in heaven — and He still changes lives one heart at a time.
The God Who Came Near
I once heard a story about a little boy who asked his mom on Christmas Eve, “If Jesus is the King, why was He born in a barn?” She smiled and said, “Because there was no room in the inn — and God wanted to make sure everyone knew there was room for them.”
That’s what Christmas is all about — room.
God made room for us by coming down to us. Now He invites us to make room for Him. The same God who created the universe stepped into our story so that we could step into His.
He came near so you could know He’s not distant.
He came humble so you could know He understands.
He came human so you could know He cares.
So when you hear “What Child Is This?” this year, let it remind you that the answer is both simple and stunning:
He is Immanuel — God with us.
The infinite became intimate.
The King of Heaven came close.
And because He came near then, we can be near to Him now.
It’s the question the shepherds must have whispered that night in Bethlehem. It’s what the wise men wondered as they laid their gifts before Him. It’s what King Herod feared when he heard that a new King had been born.
And it’s still the question that every person must answer at Christmas: Who is this child in the manger?
The Child Who Came in Humility
Luke’s Gospel tells the story so simply: “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (Luke 2:7)
No royal fanfare. No palace. No crown. Just a young couple, a quiet stable, and the soft cry of a newborn. But don’t mistake simplicity for insignificance. This was no ordinary baby.
This was God in flesh — the eternal Word wrapped in humanity. John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” That phrase — “made his dwelling” — literally means “He pitched His tent among us.” God moved into our neighborhood. He came close enough to be seen, heard, and touched.
That’s the miracle of Christmas: the God who is beyond the stars came near enough to hold. The King of heaven entered our world not in glory, but in humility — to show that His love has no distance limits.
He didn’t come to impress us. He came to invite us.
The Child Who Saves
The angel’s message to the shepherds was clear and personal: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11)
The Savior has been born to you. Not just to the world, but to you.
That’s what makes this story so personal. Jesus didn’t just come to offer advice or moral guidance. He came to rescue. He came to save us from sin and restore us to relationship with God.
Matthew 1:21 says, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” That’s what the name “Jesus” means — “The Lord saves.” From the cradle to the cross, His mission never changed.
And here’s the good news: salvation isn’t something you earn. It’s something you receive. The same grace that sent Jesus into the world is the grace that saves you today.
So when we sing “What Child Is This?” and reach the line, “This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing,” we’re not singing about a distant deity — we’re celebrating a Savior who stepped into our brokenness to bring hope, peace, and forgiveness.
The Child Who Reigns
The story doesn’t end in the manger. The child who came in humility now reigns in majesty.
After the angels’ announcement, the shepherds hurried to see for themselves. Luke 2:16–17 says, “They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them.”
They didn’t just witness history; they joined it. They became the first messengers of the gospel. Their ordinary night turned into a moment of eternal significance. That’s what happens when you encounter Jesus — you go back to the same life, but not as the same person. The shepherds returned to their fields, but they carried a new message. They went back to their routines, but now they had a reason to rejoice.
The King who came to them now ruled within them. And that’s still true today. The same Jesus who came to earth now reigns in heaven — and He still changes lives one heart at a time.
The God Who Came Near
I once heard a story about a little boy who asked his mom on Christmas Eve, “If Jesus is the King, why was He born in a barn?” She smiled and said, “Because there was no room in the inn — and God wanted to make sure everyone knew there was room for them.”
That’s what Christmas is all about — room.
God made room for us by coming down to us. Now He invites us to make room for Him. The same God who created the universe stepped into our story so that we could step into His.
He came near so you could know He’s not distant.
He came humble so you could know He understands.
He came human so you could know He cares.
So when you hear “What Child Is This?” this year, let it remind you that the answer is both simple and stunning:
He is Immanuel — God with us.
The infinite became intimate.
The King of Heaven came close.
And because He came near then, we can be near to Him now.
Posted in Christmas 2025