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 guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
When we hear these words sung, we usually picture the joyful new born Jesus on Mary’s lap. Today, the day we remember the death of Our Savior, read these words picturing Jesus laying on Mary’s lap after his descent from the cross. The words paint a powerful image.
A few weeks ago I heard this well-known Christmas carol sung in the context of the deposition from the cross. It made the gears of my mind turn. As a Christmas Carol, it evokes the joy of Mary holding her sleeping child. As a Good Friday meditation, it evokes the sorrow of Mary perhaps questioning if her dead child is only sleeping. In both contexts, it calls us to adoration of Christ the King, the Son of Mary.
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