What Child Is This

When we pull out "What Child Is This" for Christmas rehearsals, the mood in the choir loft always shifts. Set to the familiar, haunting melody of "Greensleeves," this carol asks the very question that must have been on the minds of the shepherds who first saw the infant Jesus. It paints a vivid, quiet picture of the nativity: a baby sleeping on Mary's lap, surrounded by the humble sights and sounds of a stable.

The beauty of this piece lies in its contrast. The verses are gentle and reflective, almost like a lullaby, inviting the congregation to ponder the mystery of the incarnation. Then, the refrain swells into a joyful, urgent declaration: "This, this is Christ the King!" It is a perfect fit for Midnight Mass or a parish carol service, moving us from quiet awe to a triumphant call to bring our own gifts and praise to the newborn Savior.