Pages

Dec 22, 2015

Lo! How a Rose E're Blooming



This year the rose blooms remain far into December, 
velvety petals still opening to the sun’s strong rays. 
Hardy shrubs retaining foliage,  
bursting with color beneath towering trees 
that have shed all their splendor and stand bare in contrast, 
spindly against the horizon. 
Tender blossoms, uncommon, out of season. 
Just as the birth of the holy babe was uncommon. 
Not explicable in the timing, the mother, or the place. 
Tender buds opening still, precious babe, coming still; 
despite the certain cold that lies ahead. 


Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming
16th century German hymn, author unknown

Lo! How a rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
As those of old have sung.

It came a flower bright
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind;
And so then we behold it,
The Virgin Mother kind.

To show God's love aright
She bore to us a Savior
When half-spent was the night. 
~
May unexpected mercies bless you in this holy season!
Lisa




3 comments:

  1. Lisa,

    What a beautiful photo of that rose and the poems. Thank you. Visiting from JDLee's blog. Merry and blessed Christmas to you, too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's a very beautiful rose. But wait, I haven't seen a rose that's not beautiful. :)
    Wonderful poem too.

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete