The Daily Blade – Episode #255

Title: Kyle Thompson // What Child is This?
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson

Overview

In this Christmas episode, Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into the deeper theological significance and scriptural roots of the Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” They connect the carol’s lyrics to biblical prophecy, the life of Jesus, and the foundational beliefs of Christianity, offering listeners practical and devotional insights for the season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Historical Context of “What Child Is This?”

• Kyle shares that the carol was penned in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix, a manager at an insurance company who, following a severe illness and subsequent depression, turned to the Bible for comfort and emerged spiritually renewed.
  • [00:20] Kyle: “But he was struck by a very serious and unexpected illness that left him bedridden ... during this dark night of the soul, he read the Bible voraciously, and this led him to a spiritual renewal ... he wrote the words to What Child Is This? after meditating on the story of the biblical Magi.”

2. Connection to Matthew 2 and the Magi’s Visit

• The hosts discuss how the carol draws inspiration from Matthew 2:1–12, focusing on the Magi (wise men), King Herod’s deceit, and the recognition of Christ by those seeking the newborn King.

3. Lyric Analysis: Christological Interrogation

• The opening question—“What child is this?”—mirrors the enduring biblical query regarding Jesus’s true identity, paralleling moments from his birth and ministry.

  • Referencing Matthew 16:13–17, Kyle emphasizes the importance of the personal response to Jesus’s identity:
    • [01:52] Kyle: “Who do you say that I am? Simon Peter replied, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God … this is Christ the King.”

• The lyrics encapsulate both Jesus’s humanity (a child) and his divinity (the King, the Christ).

4. Foreshadowing the Cross in Christmas

• The hosts address the carol’s second stanza, which references the crucifixion (“Nails, spear, shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you”), connecting the birth of Christ to his sacrificial death.

  • [03:24] Kyle: “‘Nails, spear, shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you.’ … This hearkens back to the writing of the prophet Isaiah. The 53rd chapter of Isaiah … it directly attaches to what we see described in the historical accounts of what happened to Jesus.”

• Isaiah 53:5 is quoted to explain the prophetic anticipation of Christ’s atonement.

• The concept of substitutionary atonement is emphasized:

  • [04:14] Kyle: “We simply cannot atone for our sin ourselves … in our place, he substituted his one and only son to pay in full the sin debt for all of humanity.”

5. The Call to Response: Gifts and Worship

• In the final stanza, the carol invites all (“peasant, king”) to come to Jesus, resonating with the universality of Christ’s kingship and the call to offer personal devotion.
  • [05:22] Kyle: “So bring him incense, gold and myrrh. Come peasant king to own him. The King of kings salvation brings. Let loving hearts enthrone him … Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the Son of Mary.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is Christ the King—so who is the subject here? Like, who is the ‘this’ that's being referred to? It's the child Jesus. But now we also have to ask, what is he? He is the Christ, the Savior. And who is he? He's the King.” — Kyle Thompson, [02:25]
• “He sent Jesus on a rescue mission that led him to have the nails and the spear driven through his flesh and dying on a cross. For whom? For you? For me? For all of us.” — Kyle Thompson, [04:45]
• “Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the Son of Mary.” — (Quoting the carol), [05:39]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:20] — Introduction to “What Child Is This?” and William C. Dix’s backstory
• [01:35] — Context from Matthew’s Gospel and the Magi’s visit
• [01:52] — Connection to Jesus’s question of identity in Matthew 16
• [03:05] — Analysis of the second stanza: prophetic foreshadowing of the cross
• [04:14] — Exploring substitutionary atonement and salvation
• [05:22] — Reflecting on the response of worship and bringing gifts to Christ

Tone & Conclusion

The atmosphere is devotional, reverent, and accessible, blending biblical teaching with reflective encouragement. Through rich lyric analysis and scriptural backing, Joby and Kyle urge listeners to see the true meaning behind the familiar carol: the mystery and majesty of Christ’s birth, the gravity of his sacrifice, and the appropriate response of awe and devotion.

Final thought:
“Let loving hearts enthrone him ... Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the Son of Mary.” [05:39]