“In the Bleak Midwinter”

“In the Bleak Midwinter”

Tune: Cranham

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, heav’n cannot hold him, nor his earth sustain;
heav’n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign;
in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord, our God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels thrilled to gather there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his Mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped 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.
Amen.