Question: What is your favourite Christmas Carol, and have you actually been able to sing it this Christmas season?

It’s probably true for most of us: there are MANY carols we love to sing at this time of the year. But again, this year has been very different—like no other…

My favourite is “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”—chosen for the words expressed: and, when married to the haunting tune usually associated with it, it’s simply beautiful!

Of course, the opening line uses the word BLEAK. And what a “bleak” time we are experiencing in these days—and for such a long period of time; and sadly, still time to come…! Yes, we desperately try to rise above it. And for the most part, we do—thanks to the Holy Spirit residing within. But we also face the reality of how it has affected not only us, but those close to us.

Loss of employment – which has certainly hit many families. With this comes not only huge financial losses; but also a certain loss of self-worth in many respects. We all know of those who are in this kind of situation. And it’s not easy, at all.

There has been a great loss of stability; loss of community; loss of health in many situations; and tragically even loss of life. And because of how this has impacted people, there has been a great rise in mental health issues. In adults; youth; and yes, even in young children.

With so many restrictions placed upon us, and various lockdowns, there is a greater sense of loneliness—even fear. Will I be next to test positive? Or my parent? Or even my child? And what will Christmas look like in the coming days? Perhaps some of us are feeling things will be rather…

BLEAK !

Christina Rosetti’s family emigrated from Italy to England in the early 1800s. Having certain wealth, they hobnobbed with the aristocrats, the wealthy, in their new homeland. But when Christina’s father took ill, and could no longer work, they lost all their money and status, therefore greatly struggled as a family. As things got worse, at the age of 14, Christina had a mental breakdown. At such a young age! Then, following this horrific event, she went into a deep depression, and never really came out of it. Yet she rose to become one of England’s greatest poets—alongside Elizabeth Barrett Browning and others.

In 1872, an American journalist asked Christina to write a Christmas poem. So she did—the song we have today. Following her death, this poem was set to music by Gustav Holst, and published in 1906. Out of her breakdown and severe depression, out of her complete bleakness, comes this beautiful carol. From darkness, to light. From bleakness, to hope and a future.

Verse 2 speaks of God coming again to reign one day! But first, He came as a baby: “the Lord God incarnate, Jesus Christ”. She then uses the beautiful imagery of angels and archangels, even cherubim and seraphim in verse 3. But she then closes that verse with the beautiful picture of Mary—in her “maiden bliss” actually worshipping her newly born Child with a kiss. How tender… how moving…

This Christmas is very different for us all, no question. There are many restrictions and limitations—holding us back from singing together, worshipping together in person, sharing in fun activities associated with Christmas together. It might even mean being on our own for Christmas Day itself.

Yet the light still shines behind all the many dark and depressing and discouraging clouds. So what can we do to allow this light to shine for the Christ-Child? We must reach out to others in new and innovative ways—like never before (and even beyond Christmas day!). Connecting by phone, email, or text. Focusing on those who are on their own — bringing them encouragement and joy and comfort. Spending more time in God’s Word and in intimate communion with Him. Then, we must fight this horrible virus by not letting it put out the fire deep within us; to not let this horrendous virus consume us in any way.

This carol is not about bleakness (although it certainly acknowledges that bleakness does exist all around us, and especially this Christmas season). This beautiful carol is all about hope and love and commitment and humility and holiness and adoration of Jesus Christ.

I’d invite you, right where you are, to sing this last verse (if not out loud, at least in your mind and heart). It refers to the giving of ourselves, once again, to Christ – realising that all He truly wants from us is ourselves. Let us worship the Christ-Child together right now:

“What can I give Him, poor as I am; If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb

If I were a wiseman, I would do my part; Yet what can I give him, give my heart.”

May it be so for each one of us this Christmas! Amen.