In the Bleak Midwinter
My favorite Christmas Carol is the sober sounding “In the Bleak Midwinter”. This hymn is not as dynamic as your familiar Christmas songs for a song about the birth of Jesus, but it does refocus our attention to what many call the “true meaning of Christmas”. Where a lot of Christmas hymns lean into the more fantastical elements such as angels, stars, and kings, “In the Bleak Midwinter” points us instead to the ordinary: a cold day, a straw bed, a mother’s kiss. It reminds us that Jesus’ story is first and foremost a human story just like ours. And it reminds us that all we need to offer him is our humble human hearts.
Mr. David Illman, Upper School Principal
| In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter 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 mid-winter A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty — Jesus Christ. |
Enough for Him, whom cherubim Worship night and day, A breastful of milk And a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom Angels Fall down before, The ox and ass and camel Which adore.Angels and Archangels May have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air; But only His Mother In her maiden bliss Worshipped 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. |
Author: Christina Georgina Rossetti (c. 1872)
