What Child Is This?

This traditional Christmas hymn will take on a whole new meaning for a church in Queens, New York this year. A few days ago they were asking: “What child is this?” It was reported they found an actual newborn infant wrapped in a purple towel in their church nativity scene. The baby boy had been born only a few hours earlier and still had the umbilical cord attached. The baby was taken to the hospital and thankfully was found to be okay.

As the Christmas season is now here you will hear this carol played in the malls, on the radio or in a church service. The question the carol asks is one that we all should stop and think about this time of year.

The song makes it clear the purpose of His life was to go to the cross. As the songs says: “The cross be borne for me, for you.”

There are some who have never given it much thought. For them, Christmas is more about a holiday time to celebrate with friends than to think about a child born in a manger over 2000 years ago. For others, they have never really heard the story behind the child that mysteriously showed up in the world with angels singing and shepherds watching. Yet, even if we have heard the story of Christ the King coming to “such mean estate” many times, we should slow down enough to reflect and marvel at this Child.

When a child is born, every parent asks, I wonder what they will be when they grow up? What is their purpose in life? The song makes it clear the purpose of His life was to go to the cross. As the songs says: “The cross be borne for me, for you.” A common phrase at Christmas is “Jesus is the reason for the season.” And this is certainly true, but on the other hand “you and I are the reason for the season”. This Child, who was God’s word in the form of a person, had the express purpose in life of coming to set us free from the power of sin.December can be a hectic month with Christmas parties, shopping, work deadlines and family dues. But in all our busyness I challenge you to “Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.”On December 19th and 20th Coastal Church will be having a grand service at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on West Georgia in Vancouver where the story of Christmas will be told through the creative arts in a fresh way. Come discover who this Child is! The event is free but for tickets for early seating please visit the home tab.During the month of December every Sunday we will be exploring the meaning behind the classic Christmas carols. We would love to have you join us!