Christina Rossetti’s poem belongs to the Victorian era of belief and certainty. The simplicity and strength of its projection of faith can touch readers (or singers) of any age for it is one of the most popular choral songs of Christmas.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty winds 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
Throng’d the air,
Bur only His mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved
With a kiss.
~
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were 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.
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