"In the Bleak Midwinter"

Clear and bitter cold was today. 'Tho no wind, and with bright sun, the temperature was frozen.

Still, the Magi traveled, as we, and adored Him upon the Feast of the Epiphany, of God revealed.

They came, summoned by signs, to worship the new King of the Jews-- He we know as God-made-flesh.

They gave gifts of great price to a baby so lowly.

We have not He Himself walking among us; we have no gifts to ever equal in cost His to us.

We, instead, are asked to see Him in each other, and to give everyday.

I gave gifts to my family and saw their joy, as they found themselves known and loved, as God knows and loves each of us.

I gave time and talent and voice to my community to help bring parts of the Mass to life, as Jesus lived to bring life to each of us.

I offered friendship, encouragement, smiles to others, as the Holy Spirit lifts and inspires each of us.

I was just being myself, being (I hope) my better self. I pray that is, for today, enough.


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"In the bleak midwinter"
        by Christina Rossetti

In the bleak midwinter, the frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like 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.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped 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.