In The Bleak Midwinter

It’s a rarely sung Christmas carol, but I love it.  It speaks of the birth and majesty of my Lord and gifts that are given to Him.  Though each verse speaks to my heart, the last verse is my favorite.  It is all about what I can give to the Lord in response to Who He is and all He has done in my life.  That verse melts my heart every time I sing or read it. 

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 incarnate,
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 I can I give Him:
Give my heart.

As I find myself in my own “midwinter” time and journey, this carol reminds me that the Lord is indescribable, perfect and holy.  There is nothing I can give Him that He has not already given to me.  He has no need for a computer, an iPod, a special toy, clothing, cookies, a coupon for a meal out or a gift card.  He has no need of earthly things at all.

This year I asked the Lord to show me what He does want me to give Him as my Christmas gift to Him.  He graciously showed me what He wanted and I gladly did just that.  The joy in my heart as I did it was “full”.  I could not stop grinning with joy.  It was unlike anything I might feel when giving a gift to others, even though that gives me an excited heart and delight.  But, there is nothing like giving Him my whole heart.  Just as the little drummer boy (yes, I know he is not in the Biblical nativity story), I too desire to always give Him the only things I have... my heart, my mind, my soul and my strength, ALL of me.  I just want to be what He wants me to be and do what He wants me to do.  It is the very least I can do.  It is my heart’s desire.  I am Yours, my Lord, and will follow You all the days of my life... all by Your grace.  Merry Christmas, Lord.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  Mark 12:30