Carols: 4 In The Bleak Mid-Winter

‘In the Bleak Mid-Winter’ is my mother’s favourite Christmas Carol.

It was originally a poem written by Christina Rossetti. She was born in London in 1830.

Theologically, the song is rather dubious. Firstly, it probably didn’t snow in Judea in September (the most likely month of Jesus’ birth) and would Heaven and Earth flee away, when Christ reigns?

Having said that, the final lyrics of the song are probably the most moving of any Christmas Carol. And maybe this is why the piece is still played and sung today.

Oh, and the tune is marvellous.

Lyrics

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.