In the Bleak
Midwinter
In the bleak
midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven
cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Angels and
archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
(Christina Rossetti)
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I think this is one of the most beautiful poems ever written, turned into one of the most beautiful Christmas carols. I love how the poem shifts back and forth from the earthly to the heavenly: one moment it is describing the moaning wind, iron-hard earth, and fallen snow; then the awesomeness of God and the angels; then Mary gently kissing the newborn baby. And the final verse is such a simple, humble commitment of our hearts to Jesus. Whether we are old or young, strong or weak, rich or poor, we can give Him our hearts, in simple, trusting faith.
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