Sung by the Gloucester Cathedral Choir. Lyrics by Christina Rossetti:
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.
Enough for him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day
A breast full 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 his mother only,
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, written before 1872, incorporated into The English Hymnal, 1906.
Music: Gustav Holst
Posted by Vanderleun at December 24, 2007 5:37 PM | TrackBackAlternatively, the terms we find in the book: "Repent, and be born again." What a beautiful manifestation of the grace and glories of God.
Posted by: askmom at December 10, 2007 8:42 PMAmen! Thank you.
Posted by: Dennis at December 10, 2007 8:50 PMTruly inspiring and uplifting. Who can listen and not know there is So Much More?
Yes, thank you. How do you find these things, other than by the grace of God.
Posted by: Bob Sykes at December 11, 2007 5:46 AMGod help us all. Thank you and Merry Christmas
Posted by: jeffersonranch at December 11, 2007 7:00 AMPure soul! Thank you,Gerald, and God bless us every one.
Posted by: Gecko at December 11, 2007 7:32 PMIn the suburbs of Toronto, over 600 miles from home, after 35+ weeks of travel, I listen and cry. Yes, regardless of any theology, from humble beginnnings, as humble as any homeless person, came the greatest teacher the world has seen. And when he was born he was loved by his mother, and all who knew of him. The greatest birthday present we can give him is to listen and learn.
Merry Christmas to you, Gerard, and to all who read this, and God's blessings on all of us.
Posted by: Bill_K at December 12, 2007 8:20 PMGourgeous performance. Is there any doubt which is truly the religion of peace?
Hey, looks like somebody's been reading my blog! And using it for, er, inspiration...Not that I mind; that's what blogging is for. And Clio is, after all, a Muse. At least when she's on the web.
Posted by: alias clio at December 14, 2007 9:09 AMGlory be to God in the highest!
Posted by: ari at December 15, 2007 4:37 PMThank you and Merry Christmas
Posted by: Firmalar at December 18, 2007 10:32 AMTruly awesome. Thank you.
Posted by: Circe at December 21, 2007 8:13 PMJust about my favorite. Thanks.
Posted by: bird dog at December 24, 2007 4:30 AM"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated to combat spam and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.