In the Bleak Midwinter

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.

This is the first stanza of "In the Bleak Midwinter", a carol we heard in church this weekend. We just celebrated Epiphany, when the Magi arrive bringing gifts to the Christ Child. The lyrics come from a poem by Christina Rossetti. It is hauntingly beautiful. If you would like to hear it, click on the title of this post to see a video of the choir of Gloucester Cathedral.

Speaking of the Christ Child, the Nativity, and the Magi, here are some pictures I took of my friend Marcy's beautiful Christmas carousel collection before it was put away until next year.







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? I give my heart.