Christmas Oratorio: I. Lo! How a Rose e'er blooming
Choir of Merton College Oxford Lyrics
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From tender stem hath sprung,
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung
It came, a blossom bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Saviour
When half-spent was the night.
O Flower, whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air,
Dispel in glorious splendour
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death now saves us
And share our ev'ry load.
The first stanza of the song "Lo how a Rose e'er blooming" reflects on the birth of Jesus Christ from the lineage of Jesse, as prophesied in the Old Testament. The rose is used as a metaphor for the birth of Jesus, symbolizing beauty and new life springing forth from a tender stem. The mention of Jesse's lineage emphasizes the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies, as Jesus is the long-awaited descendant of King David.
The second stanza further connects the birth of Jesus to the prophecy of Isaiah. It suggests that the rose being referred to here is the same as the one foretold by the prophet. The mention of Mary, the virgin mother, emphasizes her role in bringing forth the rose, which represents Jesus. Mary is seen as the vessel through which God's love is manifested in the world.
The third stanza shifts the focus to Jesus himself, describing him as both fully God and fully human. The image of a flower with a tender fragrance is used to highlight the gentle and loving nature of Jesus. The plea to "dispel in glorious splendour the darkness everywhere" represents the hope and longing for the light of Christ to overcome the darkness of sin and despair.
The final stanza expresses the belief that Jesus, as both true man and very God, came to save humanity from sin and death. The notion of Jesus sharing our every burden suggests that he empathizes with our struggles and is willing to help us bear our burdens. This reflects the Christian belief in the redemptive power of Jesus' sacrifice and the idea that he became human to offer salvation and bring us closer to God.
Overall, the song "Lo how a Rose e'er blooming" celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. It highlights the role of Mary as the mother of Jesus, emphasizes the divine and human nature of Jesus himself, and conveys the hope for salvation and the light of Christ to overcome the darkness of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Lo, how a Rose, e'er blooming
Behold, the beautiful and delicate rose that is constantly flourishing
From tender stem hath sprung
Emerging from a soft and fragile stem
Of Jesse's lineage coming
Descending from the lineage of Jesse (King David's father)
As men of old have sung
As it has been sung by those who lived in ancient times
It came, a blossom bright
It arrived, a radiant flower
Amid the cold of winter
During the harshness of winter
When half-spent was the night
When the night was halfway through
Isaiah 'twas foretold it
Isaiah prophesied it
The Rose I have in mind
The specific rose I am referring to
With Mary we behold it
Together with Mary, we witness it
The virgin mother kind
The gentle virgin mother
To show God's love aright
To demonstrate God's love properly
She bore to men a Saviour
She gave birth to a Savior for humanity
When half-spent was the night
When the night was halfway through
O Flower, whose fragrance tender
Oh, Flower, whose delicate fragrance
With sweetness fills the air
Fills the air with sweetness
Dispel in glorious splendour
Banish with magnificent brilliance
The darkness everywhere
The darkness that exists everywhere
True man, yet very God
Truly human, yet also fully divine
From sin and death now saves us
Now rescues us from sin and death
And share our ev'ry load
And carries every burden we have
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bob Chilcott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind