In the bleak midwinter

In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made 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.

Angels and archangels
may have gathered there;
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air;
but his mother only,
in her maden 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.

text by Christina Rosetti (1830-1894) The Hymnal 1982, No. 112.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
Billings, Montana
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
406-208-7314
photo: bunny outside my door 12/23/08