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 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 shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him --

Give my heart.

~ Christina Rossetti ~