In the bleak midwinter

It is ironic, perhaps, that my very favorite hymn, not just Christmas hymn, but hymn of all time is this one. Yet, I have no patience, no use for winter.  There are many versions of it, sung by many people....as well as the people that surround me at church when it is sung.  In my last church, it became a bit of a joke. They sang it frequently during the Christmas season...because they knew I loved it so much.  I was always so happy when it was sung.  There was a hymn sing countdown Sunday in January. You could vote for your favorite...and I ALWAYS stuffed the ballot box.

I love the words, particularly those of the last verse....which kind of sum up my beliefs about faith and life.  The melody is soft and haunting...and it touches me...every time I hear it.

The irony has not been lost on those in my life either, who get a laugh out of my intense love of this song....and my intense dislike of winter.  But, be that as it may.... I think this song  paints a picture of the nativity scene......cold and unbearable conditions...which may have seemed and felt  full of despair and hopeless.... and that is when the baby came to be born to save us all.  And maybe that is a message for all of us this Christmas.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zBTh4sM0SU

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. 

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.