In the Bleak Midwinter

Christina knew what the word bleak meant. Depressing, not cheerful. She knew what the word meant because she had lived it. When she was still a kid her dad got sick and became very depressed. When she was a teenager, Christina’s family had lots of problems and Christina didn’t know how to handle it all. Her mental health was not at all good. Life was bleak. But in all that bleakness, Christina found the answer. She wrote a poem that many now sing at Christmas time. Are you feeling that life is a little bleak? Then read Christina’s poem!

In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti

1 In the bleak midwinter, 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 midwinter, long ago.

2 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.

3 Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

4 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.