A recent social media post from Merriam-Webster attempted to critique the grammar of a well-known Christmas hymn, but it quickly spiraled into a heated theological debate, leading to the post being removed.
The now-deleted post aimed to clarify the title and lyrics of the 1871 song “What Child Is This?” suggesting an alternative phrasing: “Which one is this child?”
The first verse of this beloved hymn includes the lines, “Who is this, who is sleeping? Is he asleep on Mary’s lap? Will angels greet him with sweet hymns while the shepherds watch? This is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and whose angels sing. Hurry, hasten and let him be praised, baby, son of Mary.”
Supporters of the hymn argued that if it were indeed about “Which Child,” the lyrics would lack theological coherence.
Incorrect.
“What kind of child is this?” means, “What kind of child is this?” [kind of] Who is this child?”
“Which child is this and who is sleeping… this…” just doesn’t add up.
The author draws heavily from the Colloquial Bible and echoes its language.
“What sort of personality does this person have?” (mat. 8:27) https://t.co/Ublz2fGqns
— Justin Taylor (@between2worlds) December 11, 2025
Justin Taylor responded to Merriam-Webster asserting, “Wrong. ‘What kind of child is this?’ equals ‘What? [kind of] Who is this child?’” He further stated that “‘Which child is this and who was buried here…’ is nonsensical.”
He noted that the hymn’s author, William Chatterton Dix, was greatly influenced by the King James Version and reflected that language in his writing. He referenced Matthew 8:27: “The disciples were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’
Jake Rainwater, a theology professor at Corban University, chimed in as well.
Totally wrong. This hymn poses the ontological question, “What kind of child is this?”
It answers, “This is Christ the King, watched over by shepherds and celebrated by angels.”
Understanding the child’s identity highlights not only his humanity but also his divine nature. https://t.co/l1mF1EWJNQ
— Jake Rainwater (@JakeRainwater) December 9, 2025
Rainwater emphasized, “Wrong, wrong, wrong. This hymn raises an ontological question: “What kind of child is this?” to which the hymn answers, “This is Christ the King, watched by shepherds and celebrated by angels.” He expressed that this child’s identity conveys not just humanity, but his divine essence as well.
Merriam-Webster ultimately decided to take down the post.
Dix, a poet and hymn writer from the 19th century, reflected deeply on Christ during a period of illness in 1865, leading to the creation of these lyrics, which were later set to an older melody known as “Greensleeves,” and published in 1871.
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