In the Bleak Midwinter

 

We all have our favorite Christmas Carols/Hymns. In fact we probably have several of each. And without a doubt that list probably keeps changing depending on circumstances and by the appearing every now and then of something new, or at least something new to us. One such Christmas hymn which has received a lot of attention in recent years is "In the Bleak Midwinter," the words of which were written by Christina Rossetti over a hundred years ago, and the music for which was written by Gustav Holst also almost a hundred years ago. Why it took so long to become appreciated by so many I'm not sure. But it is a wonderful, this Christmas gift.

 

The 1st stanza sings of a "frosty wind" moaning in the midst of a bleak winter day, when, "the earth stood hard as iron, " and " the water was like a stone. Snow had fallen snow on snow" a "long time ago" so much like today, this very day as the icy wind is blowing from the north and west driving a blizzard of snow. The temperatures are are dropping, dropping to and below zero. (That's today as I am composing these words to you.)

 

Midst all of this both Then and Now, "God's heaven" could not hold Him and earth could not and cannot not confine Him, and, ultimately, all shall melt before Him when He returns. Nevertheless, on that Bleak Midwinter night some 2,000 years ago a mere "stable sufficed" to receive "The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ." (Stanza 2)

 

(Stanza 3) "Angels and archangels...gather there. Cherubim and Seraphim thronged the air. But His mother (Mary) only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the Beloved with a kiss."

 

(Stanza 4) These are my favorite words of this song. "What can I give Him, poor (in ever so many ways) that I am? If I were a shepherd I would (probably) bring a lamb; if I were a Wise Man (a really wise man) I would do my part." Ahh, I know what I can bring; "What I can give Him - Give my Heart:" the stable, the manger, the swaddling clothes now and here of this moment and this place.

 

Wonderful words, even better when you sing them!

 

"MERRY CHRISTMAS to all...and to all a BLESSED NEW YEAR!

 

Pastor David Albertin,

Christmas 2024

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