In the bleak midwinter
Frosty winds made moan.
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone.
Snow had fallen,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
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 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 only his mother
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 give a lamb.
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
Yet what I can I give him?
Give my heart.

My thanks to all my LOTH sisters for their help in getting me this poem.
Thanks especially to sister ANNE who gave me this complete version.