One of my most favorite thing to do this season is sing holiday songs. My favorite non-secular song of the season is on the Carpenters did many years ago..."Merry Christmas, Darling." I can hear the rich voice of Karen Carpenter even as I type.
My other favorite is a song penned in the mid 1800's by English poet, Christina Rossetti. She wrote it in response to a request for a poem from the magazine, Scribner's Monthly. It was then published in an anthology of her work in 1904. In 1906, Gustav Holst put it to music and it became a well known Christmas carol. Harold Darke's musical rendition, penned in 1911 became the most well known, and in a poll of some of the world's leading choirmasters and choral experts, it was named the best Christmas carol in 2008.
So, as we begin our journey through December, I leave you with the words of this lovely carol. I wish you a great beginning to December, and remember, when you have nothing left to give anyone...you always have love!
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.
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.
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.
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 bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man
I would do my part;
Yet what I can, I give Him -
Give my heart.