advent

on this last sunday of advent as my yellow taper candle burns, i'd like to share one of the more memorable holiday moments with you.

the faber institute hosted a wonderfully rich virtual discussion on the carols of advent; giving both backstory as well as modern applications for the lyrics and music. 

we listened together to james taylor's version of "in a bleak midwinter" written by christina rossetti in 1872 and found it quite moving.

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

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

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 can i give him

give my heart

to listen:  james taylor version

to read more & connect:  faber institute