In the bleak midwinter

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.