This post-a-day Advent gig is getting a little harried, so today let’s mind-munch another carol. While listening to Annie Lennox Christmas Cornucopia” (that sees playlist action all year around : ) the words to In the Bleak Midwinter zapped me this a.m.
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.
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…
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, 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.
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)
Our hearts may feel like bleak mid winter landscapes – cold and brittled by our fears and failures, tears of wasted years past. Or maybe our hearts have been broken by beanheads (or beanheadettes) and we’re just not letting anyone else in.
Lift up ye heads, oh ye gates, be lifted up, ye ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in… (Psalm 24:9)
Give it up (all those dreary fears.) Open up (dry your tears.) Step up (and try again.)
Let the King of Glory into the stables of our hearts. Let Him be born anew in us today.
grace, peace & mid-winter hearts (thawing)
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas carols. One time it was sung by a group of Grade 3 schoolchildren, of whom my granddaughter was one, and I cried all the way through. Their childish voices singing words they likely didn’t really understand were nevertheless beautiful, and when it came to the last line, I really “lost it”, as that is the prayer of all of us – that our dear children would indeed give Jesus their heart ……..Thanks Virginia!
Edie, thanx so much for sharing your experience that really touched my heart today! Biggest of big hugs to you – not sure if you are headed into bleakish snowy Canadian terrain for Christmas (vs. staying put in Vancouver) but may the love of Jesus continue to warm your heart through & through!! grace, peace & warm hearts – VA : )
And AMEN to that comforting thought, Edie!
Thank you, Cindy(!) Big hugs your way, too!