Who Is He in Yonder Stall (Weekly Hymn Project - Christmas Hymns)

Christmas hymn #18 is "Who Is He in Yonder Stall". I know some people might say that this isn't really a Christmas hymn - maybe everyone would be surprised at including this as it may even be one they've never heard before; but it touches on our Lord's birth at the beginning and, like the hymn "Tell Me the Story of Jesus", reminds us that the importance of Christ is not just His birth, but also His life, death, and resurrection. He wasn't a mere man who came to do good things. He was and is (yes, still lives!) Emmanuel, "God with us". Lord willing Christmas is a time people will not just stop at the nativity scene of Jesus and think how cute it is and leave it at that, but will look into the life of Christ and find themselves as the ones who Jesus said that He came "to seek and to save that which is lost" and may then find the true hope of Christmas - the Savior, which is Christ the Lord!

Lyrics:

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

[Refrain]
’Tis the Lord, oh 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?

Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He who from the grave
Comes to succour, help, and save?
Who is He who from His throne
Rules through all the worlds alone?

Words and Music by: Benjamin R. Hanby