In the bleak midwinter

In the bleak mid-winter

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 mid-winter

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 mid-winter

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 mangerful 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

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.