What Child Is This?

This is the second of four arrangements by Ruth Elaine Schram of Christmas hymns I'll be posting. The first was Joy to the World http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/22792

The title of this hymn reflects the confusion which must have greeted the shepherds as they arrived at the manger.

Given the heavenly announcement of Jesus' birth, they must have wondered how the subject of such a momentous announcement, never before experienced in history, could be in such lowly circumstances (such 'mean estate'). "Who is this child?" must surely have been the subject of much debate. But they realize in the end that somehow, in some mysterious way, this ordinary baby born in poverty is actually the King of kings, the one who will bring salvation to the entire world!

This selection is from Sunday Morning Organist Vol 1: Christmas available at http://www.alfred.com/Products/Sunday-Morning-Organist-Volume-1-Solos-for-Christmas--00-33259.aspx