Missives

History of What Child Is This

One would expect professional musicians to be the driving force behind famous songs, but this cannot be said for the words of a most recognizable and popular Christmas carol, "What Child Is This".

One would expect professional musicians to be the driving force behind famous songs, but this cannot be said for the words of a most recognizable and popular Christmas carol, “What Child Is This”. In this hymn we have the heart cry of a white-collar Christian businessman, one whose life the Lord touched with difficult times.

In 1837, John and Sussanah Dix gave birth to William Chatterton Dix in Bristol, England.  His middle name honored his father’s favorite poet, Thomas Chatterton, of whom his father wrote a biography. It seems his father’s love for articulate verse was passed to William in more than just a name, as William also held a passion for poetry.  In addition to being an author, Mr. Dix practiced surgery by trade, yet William wasn’t cut out for this line of work.

Instead, he opted for more ordinary service.  At first, he dipped into his grandfather’s soap and candle making business at Bristol.  Eventually he landed a job at a maritime insurance company in Glasgow to float the family finances.  Successful at hauling in big ship insurance policies, he was soon roped into a manager position, and anchored himself in numerous managerial roles throughout his career.

Though his job weathered life’s storms, his health did not. At age 29 he was hit with a near fatal illness and confined to bed for months. Severe depression sunk into his soul as a spiritual crisis washed over him.  After earnestly spending his time in prayer and reading the Word of God, William rose from the depths of despair. While still a manager at the insurance company, he devoted his spare time to writing Christian-themed poetry. [1] 

He considered most of his poems as a form of worship, and initially left them in his desk drawer.  In 1865, “What Child Is This” came from his longer poem titled “The Manger Song”, one he felt deserved a place outside the writing desk. Not musically inclined, he sought to pair it with an established yet delightfully somber melody.  He chose “Greensleeves”, already associated with Christmas, yet one whose chords seemed adrift without Dix’ words.  His combination spread from church to church as Christmas seasons came and went. Six years later, “What Child Is This” was published in a collection called “Christmas Carols Old and New.” In time, the short poem from a humbled businessman became the most well-known use of Greensleeves’ haunting sound. The carol spread quickly in Britain and over the pond to the United States, where it became even more popular, along with his other famous Christmas carol, “As With Gladness, Men of Old.”

Those who venture into the difficult waters of hymn writing soon appreciate Dix’ deep draws from scripture (Matt. 2:11, Luke 2:11-20; and thematically from Matt. 27:35-50, Php 2:9-11, 1Tim 6:3-16, Rev. 19:11-16) while leaning into romantic poetry.  Galaxy Music notes “the lyrics pose questions the shepherds might be pondering during their encounter. The first stanza starts with a rhetorical question, condensing the incarnation within a single sentence. The poet successfully paints a classic picture of the nativity – the Christ child sleeping on mother’s lap, as the angels and shepherds provide the background score with ‘Anthems Sweet’ and ‘Watch and Keep’. The poet registers similarity to the first stanza with another rhetorical question, a momentary reference to ‘mean estate’, Jesus’ less than ideal condition. He wonders why, and reasons the birth of Christ is entangled with His future sufferings. The second stanza alludes to the anguish and distress of Christ's future. The poet utilizes the final stanza to expand the emphasis on the people attending the humble scene. He focuses on the metaphorical gifts brought for the infant, flouting the conventional structure of time where ‘king’ or ‘peasant’ is given an equal offer.” [2]

One historian made a fitting comment: “Physical sickness revealed to William the sickness of his own soul, and it sent him on a quest for true purpose. Thankfully, answers were sought and found in the right place, and when William was physically well he began living his life for God. So, how did William live for God? Did he become a minister? A missionary? A monk? No, he returned to his life as an insurance manager, trusting God to use him exactly where he was.”  May we realize that service to Jesus is not limited to the pulpit, since the shores of time reveal other pearls fashioned by God’s quiet work.


[1] Sources: Creative Bible Journaling and Sermon Writer.

[2] Adapted and condensed from Galaxy Music. Photo from Hymnology.com

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