December 19

See Amid the Winter's Snow

performed by Jessye Norman with

The New York Choral Society, The American Boy Choir,

and The Empire Chamber Ensemble

This lovely verse was written by Rev. E. Caswall in 1851, and was set to music by Sir John Goss in 1870. It was the first hymn sung at my wedding ceremony at St. James' Church in Stratford, Ontario, eighteen years ago today. Even the torrential downpour couldn't dampen our spirits that day, and I still smile, remembering the raindrops pounding on the roof, every time I hear this music.

See amid the winter's snow,

Born for us on earth below;

See the tender Lamb appears,

Promised from eternal years.

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 he starry skies;

He who throned in height sublime

Sits amid the cherubim!

Say, ye holy shepherds, say

What your joyful news to-day;

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 Saviour'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.