A Christmas Carol by Christina Rossetti, 1830 - 1894

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 midwinter 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 I can I give Him, Give my heart.