The United Methodist Hymnal

221

In the Bleak Midwinter

1.	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.

2.	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.

3.	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.

4.	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.

WORDS: Christina G. Rossetti, 1872
MUSIC: Gustav Holst, 1906
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
Theme: Children's Choir Selections; Christ's Gracious Life: Birth and Baptism; Christ's Gracious Life: Birth and Baptism; Christian Year: Christmas; Christian Year: Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Christian Year: Epiphany; Commitment; Jesus Christ