Saturday Inspiration

In the Bleak Midwinter

by

Christina Rosetti

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, 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 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.