Another obscure hymn

Prepare yourself, Obscure Hymn of the Month:

'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 can I give him: give my heart.’
"In the Bleak Midwinter"

Regarding certain forms of literature

I just read the most horrible story, but then I am not sure it was a story at all, in that it had no plot, very little characterization, and was pretty much pointless.  I have just begun exploring this literary trope and in general have been pleased with the results, but as in all literature, I suppose there are good and bad examples and this exemplified the latter.  What is this exciting new genre?  Those in the know call them 'board books,' yes, this is my new attempt at literary exploration, those books with 5 hard pages emblazoned with colorful kittens and firetrucks made for the 4 year and under market.  Welcome to motherhood!  I was impressed that one example used the word 'cavort,' many adults do not use that word yet here it is in very juvenile literature, it was wonderful.  This other example was choppy, had no point, no plot (yes, even these microbooks must have some sort of plot), and was not charming in any sense of the word.  Even the writers of books for toddlers require good editors.  As in all things, we must use discernment, but it is amazing how many good ones there are for only containing 27 words and 6 pages, that is an achievement indeed.  At least I can say I have managed to read something lately!

Let the season begin!

I will interrupt our more usual reading assignments to bring you this week's carol will be my favorite 'What Child is This.'  You even get all three unique verses for the refrain, though sadly many hymnals tend to repeat the first.  For the three people in the entire universe that this will offend, I did warn you last week so this is your last chance to get away without being tainted by the Christmas spirit...I will now present this week's selection, enjoy and be ready to sing it at our annual concert sometime next millennium...

'What child is this, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies he in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own him;
The King of Kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary.'

Merry Christmas!  This is what the season (and all of life) should be about!

Same song, another verse

Happy November, the official start of the 'holiday season,' which means Christmas music is now back in vogue, at least everywhere that has not outlawed such vulgar and disgusting material, including this blog.  So now I may occasionally torture you with an obscure verse from an even more obscure song, as is the enduring holiday tradition on this blog which began five minutes ago.