William Chatterton Dix was diagnosed with a near-fatal condition that caused him to be bed-ridden for almost a year. During his illness he became deeply depressed and came close to death many times. But out of this difficult experience, he felt inspired and began to write hymns. One of his hymns you may be singing in your church this Christmas. “What Child is this?” points to the true meaning of Christmas.

Dix wrote, “This, this is Christ the King … Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, … The Cross He bore for me, for you; Hail, hail the Word Made Flesh, … The King of Kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him.”

“The King of Kings, salvation brings,” he says. What a glorious reminder of Who we are celebrating each December. Have you shared about the Word made flesh, the King of Kings, who bore the cross for me and you? Dix was a man near death and deeply depressed, and yet he recovered hope in writing hymns to the Lord. He found hope in Jesus Christ, the One who has “overcome the world.” Have you shared the hope of Jesus with a depressed or hurting friend? Christmas is the perfect time to share it.

This is Luis Palau.