Christmas - 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.

What Child is this? When the Child was on Mary's lap sleeping? Mary knew more than anyone what would become of the Child. She knew the scriptures better than anyone, because Her intellect and memory didn’t suffer from original sin. Mary knew He would be the Messiah, King, Lord and God. From the moment She was pregnant, She must have longed to see God, Her Son. She was first to pray to God dwelling within Her womb. Surely, She pondered, what He would look like? And when He was born, She was the first to kiss the face of God. To first to see the smile of God.

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

On the night of Jesus' birth, it was revealed to poor humble shepherds what would become of the Child born in Bethlehem and where they would find Him. The angel said to the shepherds, “….today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

"Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading."

When the angel told the shepherds, what Child is this, they knew He was Savior, Messiah, Christ, and Lord, and yet was born in poverty in a cave with animals.

The wise men came to Jerusalem seeking the newborn King of Jews, and this is how Herod came to know, the baby born in Bethlehem is a King.

"So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come, peasant, king to own Him. The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him."

Because He is King, Messiah and Lord, the future destiny of the Babe is “Nails, spears, shall pierce Him through; the Cross be borne for me for you. Hail! Hail! the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary!”

Above the Cross, was a sign “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” The Word made flesh in the womb of Mary, who bore the Cross for me and you, would be pierced with nails and a spear, to saves us from our sins.

As in the time of Jesus, we too can come to Jesus to have our sins forgiven. Back then, Our Lord saved: the woman who committed adultery, the woman who washed His feet with her tears, the tax collector, the good thief and many others from their sins. Today, He saves us from sins through baptism and confession.

Years ago, when I was in a nursing home, as I was leaving, I noticed a woman who was dying in a room surrounded by her family. I asked her family if they would like me to pray for her and with them. I asked what religion she belonged and they responded, "She doesn't have one." I said, "Is she baptized?" They said, "No, but she always wanted to get baptized." I baptized the 95 year old woman and she died the next day. She was unconscious, so she didn't know she was baptized until she went to her judgment. And must have said, "Come!" And she would have immediately went to heaven. The babe that was born in Bethlehem came to save her from her sins.

Once I was walking through a rehab center in Wichita. One person asked me to hear their confession, and as I was walking down the corridor another person asked me to hear their confession.

One person hadn't been to confession for 40 years and the other hadn't been to confession in 35 years. Within 15 minutes, I heard the confessions with a combination of 75 years of sins. Today, Jesus saves us from our sins.

What Child is this? The Jews who knew scripture, would have known the Messiah would heal the sick, give sight to the blind, to bring liberty to captives. Jesus would be the Savior.

Jesus not only healed lepers, blind men, a paralytic and raised Lazarus, He heals today through the intercession of saints in heaven. Every time a saint is canonized it is the result of a physical healing approved by the Church.

From 2013 to 2025, Pope Francis canonized 942 saints. That's 942 Church approved miracles of healing! Since Pope Leo was elected Pope this year, he has canonized 7 saints including St. Carlo Acutis. The through intercession of St. Carlo Acutis, his first approved miracle involved a Brazilian boy born with a malformed pancreas. A second miracle through St. Carlo was recognized in May 2024, after a young Costa Rican woman was healed from a serious head injury.. Jesus comforted the people in His day and He has comforted all who turn to Him including our generation.

A number of years ago, a woman with tears in her eyes, came out of Eucharistic Adoration, and said, “Father, I just had the neatest experience. I felt the arms of Jesus around me.”

From the time of Jesus unto today, Jesus helps many to forgive others, including those who suffer from the most horrible injustices.

In Wichita, a 23 year old man was murdered due to a robbery of his wallet. The mother had terrible anger toward the killer and couldn't forgive him for killing her son. After praying a Holy Hour with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, she forgave the man who killed her son.

What Child is This? Jesus can help every person in every generation, no matter their circumstances, no matter their life situations. He can heal, forgive, give us comfort and peace.

What Child is this for you? I encourage you to pick up the baby Jesus from your manger at home, and hold Him in your arms and pray: I love you baby Jesus. I adore you baby Jesus. Baby Jesus you are the Lord of my life. You are the king of my heart and of my family. You are my best friend. To you I can confide everything. You will heal me when I need it. You will comfort me and wipe away my tears. You will give me strength to carry my cross. You will help me love others, especially those most difficult to love. I want to see your face for all eternity. I want to be with you in heaven. O Child Jesus. My savior, save me from my sins. Help me to come to Confession often. Give me the desire to come to Mass every week, so that you may dwell within my soul and give me graces to reach my eternal home in heaven. I know what Child is this… He is my Savior, my King, my Lord, my God and my All. "Raise, raise the song on high. The Virgin sings Her lullaby. Joy! Joy! for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary!"