Tuesday, December 1, 2009

In the Bleak Midwinter

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 incarnate, 
Jesus Christ. 

Enough for him, whom Cherubim 
Worship night and day 
A breast full of milk 
And a manger full of hay. 
Enough for him, whom angels 
Fall down before, 
The ox and ass and camel which adore. 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. ---Christina Rossetti, circa 1872