A Christmas Question: Who Is He?

December 2012 — Grace & Truth Magazine

A Christmas Question: Who Is He?

“And she gave birth to her first born, a Son. She wrapped Him in strips of cloth and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
— Luke 2:7 NIV

Recently I stood with a group of fellow Christians and sang the beautiful hymn that begins with the words, “Who is He in yonder stall?” I was moved by the fact that each verse started with the question, “Who is He?” As I found myself singing the answers to this profound question, my heart was filled afresh with the glories of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In just a few short lines, the hymn writer, Benjamin R. Hanby, had captured the incarnation, the life, the service, the sympathy, the suffering, the death, the resurrection, and the exaltation of our Lord. During this holiday season, let’s look at just three of his questions.

“Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall?”

The baby born in a cattle stall caused mighty angels to fill the heavens with glory to God, and humble shepherds to kneel before a manger. The hymn describes Him as the One “at Whose feet the shepherds fall.” Shall we not join them?

“Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness?”

After 40 days of fasting, the Lord would not turn stones into bread to satisfy His own hunger; yet He would later multiply five loaves and two small fishes to feed a multitude. And He continues to bless us today.

“Who is He the people bless, for His words of gentleness?”

He electrified the congregation in the synagogue at Nazareth by reading of the Messiah’s mission, from Isaiah 61, and then saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your ears.” On that occasion people marveled at His gracious words. And people have been marveling ever since.

“Who is He? ... ‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory!”

There is only one answer to the question, “Who is He?” And the hymn writer supplied it: “‘Tis the Lord, O wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord, the King of glory!”

Who Is He?
Who is He in yonder stall
At Whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress
Fasting in the wilderness?

‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! ‘Tis the Lord! the King of glory! At His feet we humbly fall, Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!
Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to Whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing? Refrain
Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greets with loud triumphant song? Refrain
Lo! at midnight, Who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony? Refrain
Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone? RefrainBy Benjamin R. Hanby (1832-1867)