IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

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 manger full 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.

-Christina Rossetti (1830-1882)

Oh, how I love these songs of old. Finding the depth and meaning in the lyrics is like discovering a treasure box filled with valuable stones. "In the Bleak Midwinter" is a perfect example.

God has given us the greatest Christmas gift in history - His Son, Jesus. Is there any way to repay God for this gift of sending His Son? Not only no, but never! The only gift He's looking for from us is our surrendered hearts.

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Have you surrendered your heart to Jesus? If not, now is the best time!

Merry Christmas From My Heart to Yours,

Carla McDougal