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

Enough for him whom cherubim worship night and day,

A breastful of milk and a mangerful of hay;

Enough for him whom angels fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel which adore.

4

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;

But only his mother, in her maiden bliss,

Worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.

5

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

Bible scholars now believe Jesus was born in the spring, not in midwinter. Well, the Bible never said the birth took place in winter, anyway. It wasn't until the Catholic church co-opted the pagan celebrations of winter solstice that the Christmas observance was scheduled for midwinter. Winter solstice has been ritually observed by practically every culture and every religion throughout recorded human history.

The crux of the lyric, of course, is the last line. A more modern rendition of the song lyric paraphrases slightly --

Yet what can I give him? Give him my heart.

Luke 2

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.