See Amid the Winter's Snow
There are speculations as to the actual date of the birth of Christ. We celebrate it on December 25th, in the middle of our winter season. Christmas hymnody often uses the poetic expression of winter to set the scene of the birth of Christ. It is not so much the actual season that is in view, but more of a poetic expression of the spiritual condition of the time. Winter is dark, often gloomy, and without much life.
See Amid the Winter's Snow pictures the birth of Christ in such a way. It was written by Edward Caswall in 1858 and speaks of Christ's deity, his eternality, his being Creator, and his beauty. The final stanza points us to our need to become like Christ as we follow him in our Christian life. Each stanza ends with the ecstatic expression, "Hail! Thou ever blessed morn. Hail, redemption's happy dawn. Sing through all Jerusalem, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem.'"
Enjoy this Christmas text today.
See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See the tender Lamb appear,
Promised from eternal years.
Refrain: Hail! Thou ever blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn.
Sing through all Jerusalem,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Lo, within a manger lies,
He who built the starry skies;
He, who throned in height sublime
Sits amid the cherubim.
Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
What your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep on the lonely mountain steep?
"As we watched at dead of night, lo, we saw a wondrous light; angels, singing 'Peace on earth' told us of the Savior's birth."
Sacred Infant, all divine, what a tender love was Thine; thus to come from highest bliss down to such a world as this!
Teach, O teach us, Holy Child, by Thy face so meek and mild, teach us to resemble Thee in Thy sweet humility!
For a copy of the music of this hymn, visit here.
