On Christmas Carols: In the Bleak Midwinter

Greetings Dear Reader

"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a Christmas carol based on a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti written before 1872.  It was published posthumously in Rossetti's Poetic Works in 1904 and became a Christmas carol after it appeared in The English Hymnal in 1906 with a setting by Holst.

This song brings tears to my eyes for its purity and simplicity.  I discovered Corrinne May’s rendition thanks to the providence of God and the magic of you tube.  Here is the link if you wish to listen. In the Bleak Midwinter.  No matter how lofty the music or clever the lyrics what matters is the last line of this song.  All Christ wishes is our hearts.  The remainder is window dressing.  Enjoy!

Photo by Natalie Foley

In the bleak midwinter, 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 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.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;

Photo by Natalie Foley

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.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."