Hello OCBC family!
Here we are, Christmas season is here and the world around us is preaching a different message than the one we should share: God Himself came to this earth in flesh to save people from their sins. Let me share a passage that I love to read during this time. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1 – ESV).
This passage was the inspiration to an anonymous German writer from 15th century. He wrote “Es ist ein Ros ensprungen.” It was Theodore Baker who made the English version of this ancient advent hymn. The hymn explains the prophecy from Isaiah that a new “rose” will come. In the past, some people interpreted this part as a reference to Mary as the “rose” from Jesse, but in 1609, Michael Praetorius changed the interpretation to point to Christ, thus fitting with the actual Biblical imagery.
The lyrics can be used as a hymn to be sung during Advent season or Christmas season, but also they can be used as a prayer for a devotional time. This hymn is so rich in doctrine, because it tells us about the sacrifice of this rose, who came to bring life to us.
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 flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.
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
In His service,
Israel
Here we are, Christmas season is here and the world around us is preaching a different message than the one we should share: God Himself came to this earth in flesh to save people from their sins. Let me share a passage that I love to read during this time. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1 – ESV).
This passage was the inspiration to an anonymous German writer from 15th century. He wrote “Es ist ein Ros ensprungen.” It was Theodore Baker who made the English version of this ancient advent hymn. The hymn explains the prophecy from Isaiah that a new “rose” will come. In the past, some people interpreted this part as a reference to Mary as the “rose” from Jesse, but in 1609, Michael Praetorius changed the interpretation to point to Christ, thus fitting with the actual Biblical imagery.
The lyrics can be used as a hymn to be sung during Advent season or Christmas season, but also they can be used as a prayer for a devotional time. This hymn is so rich in doctrine, because it tells us about the sacrifice of this rose, who came to bring life to us.
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 flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.
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
In His service,
Israel
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