In the Bleak Midwinter

By Brad Henderson

Would it surprise you to be reminded that only a month ago we were still pre-Christmas? Does it seem so much long since you were filled with excitement and anticipation of the Season? Time moves quickly, and in case you have moved past the remembrance and reliving of Christʼs birth too quickly, I share this hymn, “In the Bleak Midwinter, ” with you. It is my favorite hymn of the season, though many do not know it. It speaks of Christmas, but also midwinter, which is now upon us (hereʼs a clip of James Taylor performing the song). May these words bring back again that which you felt with joyful expectation not so long ago:

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,

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. (Christina Rossetti, 1872)

For Sunday, January 23

Matthew 4 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." 20 At once they left their nets and fColhlorwisetdhaims. aroused our 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followefudlhfiilml t. hem 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every St. Augustine disease and sickness among the people. (Todayʼs New International Version)

Upcoming Worship

January 23- After his time in the wilderness Jesus begins his ministry, Matthew 4:12-23

January 30- Paul contrasts Godʼs Foolishness with the worldsʼ wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

In February, we will begin a new series on“Family Matters”...what does the Bible have to say about what the nuclear family looks like in reality? What does it have to say about relationships between parents and children? Or about the marriage relationship? Weʼll look at these and other family issues.