Christina Georgina Rossetti

In the Bleak Midwinter

Summary

This piece is a reflective and evocative poem that creates a vivid image of a cold, desolate winter landscape, symbolizing conditions during the time of Jesus's birth. Despite the harsh environment of a midwinter night, the poem transitions to the theme of divine presence in a humble setting as the Lord Jesus Christ is born in a stable. It emphasizes the omnipotence and majesty of God who cannot be contained by heaven or earth, yet contentedly enters the world in simplicity. The simplicity and humility of Jesus's birth are accentuated as it contrasts with the grandeur fitting for God, depicted through the gathering of angels and heavenly beings. The closing lines are a personal reflection on what one can offer to Jesus, ultimately suggesting that the most valuable gift is a sincere and devoted heart. The poem elicits themes of humility, devotion, and the profundity of spiritual wealth over material gifts.

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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 I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

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