The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson #255 - Kyle Thompson // What Child is This?
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Dec 23, 2025 Dive into the rich theology behind the Christmas carol, exploring the significance of William Dix’s journey and the Magi’s gifts. Discover the profound question of Jesus' identity as both fully human and divine. The discussion highlights ties to Isaiah's prophecy and the meaning behind worship as a response to Christ’s sacrifice. Unpack the collision of joy and sorrow, and how these themes shape a heart during the festive season. It's a thought-provoking exploration of tradition that deepens the Christmas spirit.
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Author's Dark Night Of The Soul
- William Chatterton Dix fell into severe illness and depression while working as an insurance manager in the 1860s.
- Reading the Bible during recovery led to spiritual renewal and inspired him to write What Child Is This?.
Questioning The Child's Identity
- The carol frames a Christological question: who is this child, inviting theological reflection on Jesus' identity.
- The lyric answers by naming him both Christ and King, affirming his full humanity and full deity.
From Manger To Cross
- The second stanza foreshadows Jesus' suffering by naming nails and spear that will pierce him, linking the manger to the cross.
- Joby ties that imagery to Isaiah 53 to show the prophetic fulfillment of substitutionary atonement.