Songs Of Hope - Sing We Now Of ChristmasExemplo

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

A Branch Will Bear Fruit

I cannot think of Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming without going back to Christmas Eve services in an old stone church in my hometown. The words and melody draw me to Jesus through things I can see and feel. The carol engages my senses…

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

I see the Rose, picturing its color, imagining its soft petals and sharp thorns. I can almost smell it. I feel the cold of winter. I am up and watching on that half-spent night.

The song takes me back further than years of Christmas Eve services. Way back. Centuries. To the prophet Isaiah describing the origin and character of One who was to come:

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.
- Isaiah 11:1, 2

The imagery and impact of the carol highlight the attractiveness of Jesus.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.

He is so very lovely. And so very good! He changes all around Him with His scent and light. He also changes us as He saves us and lightens our load. He even changes me.

The text was written by an anonymous author in the sixteenth century. It functions like a parable as it starts with something familiar—a Rose—and unfolds something larger, longer, and deeper—the Flower gift of God, given and received. Living! Lovely! Precious!

Dr. Shawn Shannon
Baptist Student Ministry Director
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor