Sunday, December 26, 2010

Sunday Morning Poetry

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 watch 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 Christians 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 inscence, gold, and myrh,
Come peasant, king, to own Him;
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary.

~ William Chatterton Dix


The cross was borne for me, for you. Merry Christmas, everyone.

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! I had no idea that there was more to the song! Thanks for post this.

Kyra said...

Thankyou Relyn for your merry wishes, for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. More than the timing it's the gesture that was touching and so heartwarming.

Stay blessed with tiny little joys that fill your heart and life with love and laughter.

Thankyou for this blog, for being a part of my life and letting me be a part of yours.

Love,

Meeta

Marilyn Miller said...

Love the words on the door. Yes,Joy, joy for Christ is born~

Meri said...

Such an old refrain and beautiful words. Thanks, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Relyn,

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful poem.

I hope you and your family had a Wonderful Christmas celebration.

Happy New Year from (rainy) Southern California.

God Bless You, ~Ron :-)
************************

Rosaria Williams said...

I'm catching up with my neighbors, hoping the holidays are merry and bright for everyone. Stay warm and cheery.

Jeanne said...

Love and hugs and many blessings
Love you
Jeanne

Life Is A Road Trip said...

Lovely choice, Relyn. Merry Day after Christmas. xxoo

Rita said...

That child became the greatest gift we ever had. You were a gift to our family as well! I love you.

cristie said...

gee, you left me such a sweet note.

thank you dear girl. blessings to you. xox

Unknown said...

Lovely post!
Wishing you & your family all the best, Happy Holidays! x

susanna said...

Merry Christmas, Relyn! The well wishes that you sent my way were so kind and generous. You are a beautiful soul. I hope you are having the most wonderful week with your family.

PS: You know, I don't think I've ever heard - or maybe just paid attention to - the fourth verse before. It's such a foreboding verse, isn't it? To write and sing a song celebrating a baby's birth (THE baby's birth) in a song - and to also predict a a brutal event that will hurt this young life...yeesh.

Anonymous said...

hope you had a wonderful christmas and are ready to ring in the new year in style :)

Unknown said...

A beautiful carol with the Greensleeves tune. Perhaps a couple of the verses don't always feature, so that emphasis is given to the joy of the baby's birth. I wish you continued joy for the holidays and the New Year.

Tracy said...

That is such a lovely carol... After several days of being merry & feasting, we're taking it easy today and basking in the holiday glow...*sigh*...Hope you all are doing the same. LOVE & JOY to all of you! And what a JOY you are, Relyn. How blessed I am to know you. :o) ((HUGS))

Lisa Johnson said...

Much Peace + Joy to you Relyn! Merry Christmas! ; )

Unknown said...

Dear Relyn, just hoping that you had a wonderful Christmas! As I think back over the past year, I am so grateful for your friendship and the many kind things you have said to me during some very difficult times, mean the world to me. I appreciate you so much and wish you and your family the happiest of new year's!

xo Mary Jo

"Sunshine" said...

Thank you, Relyn for reminding us about the Glory of Christmas.
We sang this in church and I love it always.
The cross was borne for me, for you.
Happy New Year to you.

S. Etole said...

One of my favorite carols ... I have several "favorites".

Roban said...

Relyn, I've thought about you during this Christmas season and was so happy to see that you had come by and left a message for me. When I came here and saw your photo with the word "joy" I smiled and knew it was a good thing to take time out to visit you.

You, too, have made my life richer this year, and I hope to continue the friendship in 2011. Not sure, yet, how much I will blog, but I'm wanting to fit it into my life, if for no other reason than to visit wonderful people like you!

Hugs and blessings, dear friend!

Roban

Kirsten Steen said...

Hope it was a wonderful holiday for you, Relyn! Thanks for sharing and always bringing joy to the world!
Hugs, Kirsten

Jennifer Richardson said...

timeless
...a treasure.
Like you:)
-Jennifer

Cathie said...

beautiful as always!

much love to you Relyn ♥

Claire said...

One of my favourite lyrics. Thanks so much for reminding me. :)

Cxx

Gayle said...

Thank you so much for your Christmas wishes, Relyn. We had a difficult Christmas and your sweet words helped.

Amy said...

What a perfect piece ... to describe the perfect peace of Christmas!

d smith kaich jones said...

like so many others, i'd never heard or read all these verses. i like derrick's idea that the emphasis is given to the joy of the baby's birth. how wonderful to've been an angel that night.

thank you for all the kind words and wishes - i hope your christmas was as peaceful and wonderful as i imagine it to've been.

xoxo
Debi

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year
I enjoy reading your posts ,its like each word is felt within ,very amazing feeling



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