The Story Behind: This Is Christ the King (What Child Is This)

by Don Chapman

Sometimes the most powerful moments in worship come when old meets new – when timeless truth finds fresh expression. The story behind “What Child Is This?” perfectly captures God’s pattern of using ordinary people to create extraordinary moments. In 1865, a humble insurance manager named William Chatterton Dix found himself confined to his bed, wrestling with a severe illness that had brought his busy life to a sudden halt. During this time of forced rest, depression crept in, leading him to question his purpose and direction. Yet God had bigger plans for this season of suffering.

Born in Bristol, England in 1837, Dix came from a family where creativity flowed freely – his father was a surgeon by trade but a writer by passion. While young William inherited his father’s love for words, he chose a different professional path, becoming a marine insurance manager in Glasgow. He was content with his ordinary life, finding satisfaction in closing insurance deals and managing policies. But God wasn’t finished writing his story.

It was during his months of illness and recovery that Dix experienced a profound spiritual awakening. As he poured over the pages of Scripture, seeking comfort and purpose, his soul found not just healing but inspiration.

How an 1865 Christmas Carol Inspired a Modern Worship Song

Little did William Dix know that over 150 years later, those same lyrics would continue to inspire new melodies and touch new generations of worshippers. For years I’ve been reimagining the music of classic hymns and carols. Each rewrite has been a journey of discovering how ancient truths can speak to modern hearts. But something special happened when I sat down to create a new melody for “What Child Is This?”

Sometimes, inspiration comes when we least expect it. As I sat at my piano during a personal worship time the melody for “This Is Christ the King” seemed to flow effortlessly from my fingers. It was one of those rare and beautiful moments where creativity and worship became one. The music felt right—modern, heartfelt, and powerful—perfect for breathing new life into the timeless lyrics of “What Child Is This.”

Of course, any worship leader knows that a great worship song needs a powerful bridge to lift the congregation to those mountaintop moments! I crafted the bridge specifically to build on the emotional intensity, giving it that explosive worship ballad feel that’s familiar to anyone who loves modern worship music. The result is a song that feels right at home alongside current worship styles while maintaining the theological depth of its 19th-century roots.

Versatile Arrangement for Every Worship Setting

What makes this arrangement special isn’t its complexity – quite the opposite. The beauty lies in its simplicity and versatility. Your church can present it as special music one Sunday, then teach it to the congregation the next. It works equally well with a full worship band or a simple piano accompaniment. For Christmas Eve services, try an intimate piano/acoustic guitar/cello arrangement to create a tender moment of reflection and wonder. (While the original lyrics use the term “ass,” some worship leaders have found that “lamb” serves as a meaningful alternative that keeps the focus on worship!)

Carrying Forward a Legacy of Faith Through Music

In many ways, this new melody carries forward the spirit of William Chatterton Dix himself. Just as he found himself writing poetry while recovering from illness, this arrangement emerged from a simple moment of personal worship while I myself was recovering from serious gut issues. It’s a beautiful reminder that God often works through our seasons of weakness to create something for His glory.

A Fresh Christmas Favorite for Modern Ministry

I believe “This Is Christ the King” can become a Christmas favorite in your ministry for years to come. Not because it’s better than the original – that’s never been my goal – but because it offers a fresh way to declare these timeless truths to a new generation of worshippers. I see this melody as simply another way to carry forward these powerful words, giving worship leaders more options for their congregations. In a world that’s constantly changing, we need songs that bridge the gap between our rich heritage of faith and our contemporary expression of worship.

When your congregation sings these familiar words to this new melody, they’re participating in something beautiful: the ongoing story of how God’s people have always found new ways to declare old truths. From Dix’s original poem to Greensleeves to this modern version, the core message remains unchanged – we’re still asking that essential question: “What Child is this?” and we’re still rejoicing in the answer: “This is Christ the King.”

“This Is Christ the King” Lyrics Video