Words of Reflection
I remember the first time I heard the carol “In the Bleak Midwinter.” I was a first-year seminary student, and Sharon and I were attending the annual Lessons and Carols service at the seminary chapel. Before the service began I glanced through the order of songs and readings, and when my eyes caught the title “In the Bleak Midwinter,” I’m embarrassed to say that my “newly-minted seminarian” pride started to kick in:
“Jesus wasn’t born in the winter! Anyone worth their theological salt knows that the shepherds would NOT have been abiding in the fields with their sheep during the winter months. Jesus was most likely born in the spring!”
When the carol began, my haughty assumptions ratcheted up a gear with phrases like “frosty wind” and “snow on snow,” and I was close to being convinced that singing this carol was a waste of time and breath.
Then something broke through as I heard (and read) the second, third, and fourth verses. As I opened myself to the beauty of the words and the thoughts they expressed, I found my pride withering away…melting like snow, if you will.
In the years since my stance has shifted completely, in fact, “In the Bleak Midwinter” is now my favorite carol. The images it contains bring me to my knees every time I hear them:
the tiny stable that holds the God of the universe
the simple worship offered by the beloved child’s mother with a kiss
the invitation to place ourselves alongside the shepherds and Wise Men as we consider our own gifts for the Savior
So with such beautiful words and images to sit and pray with as we approach Christmas day. And as for that first verse…I believe there is meaning there for us to ponder as well, even if the images aren’t climatologically correct. They speak of the bleakness of midwinter and the coldness of the season, which can be truthful no matter what the weather around us might be. This is a hard season for many, and as we approach Bethlehem we can pray that in the bleakness of this world people will encounter the Christ child anew through the worship and ministry of his people.
Scripture for Meditation:
”But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!”
—1 Kings 8:27 (NIV)
“I love those who love me, and those who will seek me find me.”
—Proverbs 8:17 (NIV)
Song: In The Bleak Midwinter (lyrics here)
This is another song that is often sung to different tunes. We include both for you here.
TUNE: Cranham (by Gustav Holst)
TUNE by Harold Darke
Questions for Contemplation:
“In the Bleak Midwinter” was originally written as a poem by Christina Rossetti, who also wrote the Christmas carol “Love Came Down at Christmas.” Both focus on God’s gift of Jesus and our response of worship. How does the story of Christmas prompt you to worship? What truths, words, or phrases stir your heart and mind as you worship in response to the incarnation?
This carol always seems to land in the Top 10 carol survey done every year by the British radio station Classic FM. Why do you think it is so popular? What are people responding to? Spend some time in prayer that those who listen to it this season might be touched by the message it proclaims.
Spend some time praying with this verse from the carol. What does it mean for you to give your heart to Christ? How might he be calling you to a deeper expression of that this Advent season and beyond?
What can I give Him
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man, I would do my part
Yet what I can, I give Him
Give my heart