December 25, 2012
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, Heav’n cannot hold him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heav’n 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 manger full of hay;
Enough for him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.
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.
Wishing you a joyous Christmas day.
Photos taken on Christmas Eve. New snow, dinner with family at my mother’s home, excited children in christmas pajamas, luminaries throughout the neighborhood.
Text by Christina Rossetti (1872). Artwork by J. Kirk Richards.
knit one, knit two
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Kerri
I love J. Kirk Richards, and I have had In a Bleak Midwinter running through my head for days. This was a lovely post. Thank you, Cath.
Meagen
Merry Christmas-beautiful post!
Gretchen
I love the photos and the illustrations! If you haven't already, you MUST google Sissel singing In the Bleak Midwinter, one of my favorites. She came several years ago to perform it with the MoTab choir and it's AMAZING!
catharvy
knit 1, knit 1 – and to you!
Kerri – you too? Harold Darke's melody and Rosetti's words have been on my lips and mind all week. Such a gorgeous song. Merry Christmas Kerri. xo
Meagen – A happy Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Gretchen – Oh, you are so right. Sissel's version might be my favorite. (Her voice!) That whole CD is spectacular. I didn't hear it live, but have loved the CD for a few years now. Glad you pointed it out here. Hope you and your darling family had a wonderful Christmas!
cristie
by the way…i love everything about this post…especially snow on snow on snow. xox
photos of your darlings are precious.
LizzyP
Love the luminaria, Cath. This year I had hoped to light some and it didn't happen. I'll enjoy your photos instead.