A poem on winter solstice

So the winter solstice is going to occur at 3:16 am tomorrow morning. I thought I'd mark the occasion with a winter poem by Amy Carmichael.

WINTER — by Amy Carmichael

When my leaves fall, wilt Thou encompass them?

      The gold of autumn flown, the bare branch brown,

The brittle twig and stem,

      The tired leaves dropping down –

Wilt Thou encompass that which men call dead?

      I see the rain, the coldly smothering snow,

My leaves dispirited,

      Lie very low.

So, the heart questioneth, white winter near;

      Till jocund as the glorious voice of spring

Cometh His “Do not fear,

      But sing; rejoice and sing,

For sheltered by the coverlet of snow

      Are secrets of delight, and there shall be

Uprising that shall show

      All that through winter I prepared for thee.”