What Child is This? (Advent: Day 21)

What Child is this who lay to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

WHAT CHILD IS THIS? verse 1

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

This passage encompasses both Christ’s first Advent and His second. This Child, whom we celebrate on Christmas, is the Son of God given to us! One day He will return and rule the nations with a rod of iron.

What Child is this?

This Child is the Wonderful Counselor.

There is no problem you have that He doesn’t know the answer. When you feel lost, His Word lights your path. His wisdom is unsearchable, and He delights in sharing it with you when you ask Him.

• Exodus 15:11 “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?” (NASB)

• Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (NASB)

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?

Romans 11:33-34 NASB

What Child is this?

This Child is the Mighty God.

The Lord is mighty to save! The word mighty describes the might and power of the Messianic King who is a mighty warrior, champion and hero. When you surrender to Him, His mighty power works in you to do through you what you could never do on your own. When you are weak, He is strong.

• Deuteronomy 10:17 “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.” (NASB)
• Psalm 24:8 “Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” (NASB)

And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.

Ephesians 1:19 (NASB)

What Child is this?

This Child is the Everlasting Father.

Jesus is the eternal Son of God. Because He is God, the very nature of God the Father exists in Him as God the Son. If you have come to know Him, He has adopted you into the beloved. He has no beginning and no end; He exists perpetually forever! He is the Creator of this world, the Living Word that was in the beginning with God. He will one day set up His eternal kingdom here on earth and after 1000 years, He will create a new heaven and a new earth where you will spend eternity with Him!

• Psalm 45:6 “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” (NASB)

• Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O LORD, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand.” (NASB)

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15 (KJV)

What Child is this?

This Child is the Prince of Peace.

The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom” and means peace and tranquility. One of the names of God is Jehovah Shalom – the LORD is peace. In the New Testament, peace is the “tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, fearing nothing from God and consequently content with its earthly lot, whatever it is. This is the direct result of redemption by Christ and consists primarily of a state of conscious reconciliation with God.” (CWSB). This is the peace Christ not only gives to you, but He IS to you.

• Psalm 29:11 “The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.” (NASB
• Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says the LORD who has compassion on you.” (NASB)

For He Himself is our peace.

Ephesians 2:14a NASB

This, this is Christ, the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, Haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

WHAT CHILD IS THIS chorus

Advent Reflections:

1. Take some time to look over each section of Scripture for each of the 4 names mentioned above.

2. What is your favorite name of Christ from Isaiah 9:6 and why?

3. Which of the Scriptures especially spoke to your heart today?

4. All of these names encompass the Child in the manger. How does this truth touch your heart this holiday season?

5. How does knowing that this Child was given to us, given to YOU, change your perspective on your current situation in life?

Click here to listen to the Cambridge Singers sing this song on YouTube.

Click here for Kari Jobe’s version on YouTube.