Every Christmas, I listen to In the Bleak Mid-Winter, never realizing the connection to Art Nouveau and the Pre-Raphaelites. That is, until recently. Dante Rossetti’s (one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelites) kid sister, Christina, wrote the poem which was set as a Christmas carol by Gustav Holst and then by Harold Darke. As an aside, Christina was the model for one of Dante Rossetti’s most famous paintings: The Girlhood of Mary Virgin.
Christina Rossetti’s gift was poetry. Encouraged by the works of those who came before, she repaid this legacy by inspiring others that came after her. Virginia Woolf, Gerard Hopkins, Philip Larkin and Elizabeth Jennings were among the many influenced by her writings.
A Christmas Carol
Christina Rossetti
In the bleak mid-winter,
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 mid-winter
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
Worshipped 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.
Lovely, forwarding this to my husband!
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You always make me feel amazing!!! Thank you and say hello to your husband!!!
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Very interesting! I’ve always been fond of Art Nouveau and the Pre-Raphaelites, and am glad to see that they’re (finally) gaining in popularity after having been dismissed and denigrated for so long. This may be a reaction on the part of the public (maybe even the art establishment?) to the chronic formlessness and even intentional ugliness of so much art of the latter half of the 20th century. In defense of those artists, the world had turned quite ugly (two dreadful world wars and violence and oppression everywhere). Undoubtedly art tends to reflect the value system of a culture.
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Well said!! What I find interesting is that every generation wants to be better than the last so they tend to discount what has gone before – including Christina’s poetry. She is more accepted now than shortly after her death. This thought makes me look more deeply into my own viewpoint. I think we need to understand the stories behind the art so that we are open to the messages and symbols. I agree wholeheartedly – art reflects the values of a culture.
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I understand the inspiration. Thank you for that. I had not heard of her before. Poetry is my favorite form of writing and I think to do well, the most difficult. What other writing do you need to have a good economy with words, while thinking imagery, metaphors, adjectives. And then plan to rhyme it ? not all does, but when it works, it’s fantastic. I still love the classic poets- Dickinson, Browning, Frost. Angelou has a great tempo but often doesn’t rhyme. I hope you had a wonderful day.
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Christina Rossetti had an extraordinary life as I am beginning to discover. I just started to delve into art history and have found the stories profound and moving. I had studied Christina’s work in high school many many many years ago but didn’t know her connection to Dante. The whole family was unusual. Thank you for your comments! So much appreciated.
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We have much in common. I also appreciate the introduction of new, well known, talented and brilliant writers. You are informed, so I respect that.
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I agree – we have much in common! It seems that we are going to learn from each other. I have packed my bags for the adventures ahead. I know they are coming….
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Beautiful! I hope you had a lovely day!
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I had a wonderful day and I am glad to see that I wasn’t the only one who wanted to check in with my blogger family! As I look forward to 2013, I know that our lives will continue to evolve – it is good to be able to share our thoughts, hopes and dreams. I am so glad that you stopped by…
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Your Christmas Poetry is very beautiful Thank you for share it for us -Have nice day!with love maxima
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So glad that you stopped by!!! Christmas is almost over and I am looking to the adventure ahead…
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