by Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894)
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.
Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, 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.
***
Listen to a beautiful interpretation at my other blog here.
Lovely Jeanne. So beautiful isn't it?
ReplyDeleteJeanne,
ReplyDeleteThis has always been my favourite carol. I love everything about it. I have a McGarrigles Christmas album and they sing it with their children Rufus and Martha Wainwright. It is hauntingly done and I think it's on You Tube too. You might like it. Another gem. Lesley xx
Rossetti,
ReplyDeleteAlways worth a read.
Thank you for your comment.
My all time favorite Christmas hymn. Believe it or not I was singing this yesterday as I went about some chores.
ReplyDeleteYet what can I give him; give my heart. Such a sweet and precious thought, so true. Best, Vicki
this is such a lovely place to come for my tea break.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for sharing all this beauty xx