In the Bleak Midwinter

Christina Rossetti, was the daughter of an accomplished English family. Her father was a professor teaching Italian at a London University. Her brothers were leaders in the world of art. Lewis Carroll was numbered among family friends. Christina composed several poems that became hymns.

A poem she submitted to "Scribner's Monthly" in 1872, some say as a contest entry, some say she was simply asked to submit a Christmas poem, was set to music by Gustav Holst in 1906 and included in "The English Hymnal." It was given another tune by Harold Darke in 1909 and in this form was named the best Christmas carol by leading choirmasters in 2008. We know her song/poem as "In the Bleak Midwinter."

While it may be the best for choirs to perform, the poem leaves much to be desired, even taking into account the concept of poetic license. Although it paints a perfect picture of a bleak winter landscape to which anyone from a northern clime can relate, the entire first verse (and the title) is not accurate (except for the phrase, "long ago.")

As pointed out in an earlier blog, Jesus was almost assuredly born in the spring, not the winter. Even if He was born in winter, the temperatures at that time of year in Bethlehem average close to 55° F. So I would imagine the purists and literalists are heading for the exits at this point, and if you must, I understand. That would normally be me.

But I'm forgiving of this error because I credit it to the attempt of painting a "bleak" picture in all respects for the Christ child's physical situation at birth and I'm willing to "roll" with it since it accomplishes that goal quite well. (Also, I really like the imagery.) The contrast between the physical aspects of the birth of the Savior, and the spiritual significance of the birth of the Savior are a very important part of what is going on here.

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,

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 can I give Him,

Give my heart.

As mentioned above, the first verse immediately begins setting the tone of an unwelcoming, cold, bleak world for the son of God to be born into. Except for the temperature and the freezing caused by it, it is a common theme among many Christmas songs to highlight how unlike anything befitting royalty the birth of Jesus was.

God the father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the son were all united, along with all heavenly hosts, in the mission of Christ coming to the earth and offering Himself as the redeeming sacrifice from sin, so no, Heaven didn't try to hold Him. Neither is earth a suitable place for any part of the Godhead to remain, so earth couldn't sustain Him. The second verse goes on to remind us that at the second coming heaven and earth will melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10-12) before the Lord in His glory, but yet, a place intended for animals was His place of birth.

The third verse is often left out when this song is performed. It continues emphasizing how incongruent it is that One whom cherubim constantly worship and whom angels fall down before should have so little fuss made over Him that a manger full of hay among the animals would be found suitable for Him.

In verse four the contrast is made between the celestial and the earthly. Heavenly beings fill the air, cherubim, seraphim, angels and archangels are all proper beings in the realm from which Jesus came, but He has left that for the physical where He receives a physical mother's kiss.

The fifth and final verse is the heart of this song. It should bring tears to your eyes and make you think. We are so ill-suited and unprepared to be in the presence of the son of God. A visit from royalty calls for a gift worthy of royalty. But, who are we, who am I, to enjoy such a gift as this visit, even if it were not for the redemption of my soul that He comes (which makes this visit so much greater)?

What can I give Him? Even the poor shepherd can give a lamb. But as I examine myself, I am less worthy than a shepherd standing before a king. The wise men brought gifts appropriate for the occasion. If I was wise I would know what to do. But God is not interested in receiving from us expensive gifts one might lavish on an earthly king. What shall I give Him? The answer is easy: give my heart.

As Paul stated in Romans 12:1, "present your bodies a living sacrifice . . . which is your reasonable [or spiritual ] service." Again, Paul says in Galatians 2:20, 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Yet what shall I give Him? Give my heart.

• Sarah McLachlan gives a wonderful interpretation of "In the Bleak Midwinter," just as she did with "O Little Town of Bethlehem." The mood that she sets with her version puts you right in the middle of a bleak midwinter scene and you feel just the way you need to feel to have a strong connection with what the song is trying to say. However, I'm not going to link to her version. She leaves out a couple of verses and gets s few words wrong which slightly alter the intensity of the meaning. I have chosen to share the Tenebrae Choir version with you. It is very well done in a Capella style. They also leave out a verse, but it seems everyone does. I have linked to them on my Facebook page. I hope you enjoy.

• This is the last Christmas song review before we go "back to our normal programming" (as they say.)