In the Bleak Midwinter

I've been noticing this Christmas that some of the Christmas carols are wonderful examples of writing.  This morning, for example, I thought a lot about the little town of Bethlehem's "dreamless sleep," a phrase that says so much about the hopeless little town.
One of my favorite carols is "In the Bleak Midwinter," by Christina Rossetti.  What a beautiful yet simple description of the nativity.  It's even more beautiful when Julie Andrews sings it. 

In the Bleak Midwinter

by Christina Rossetti

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.

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.