"Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming"

"I the Lord do not change."
Malachi 3:6

I like new beginnings; a new calendar year, a new growing season in the garden, a new school year, a new year after one's birthday, the Advent season. They can give us the opportunity to reassess our lives and make necessary adjustments. But newness can become a narcotic and keep one from sticking with a thing when that is precisely what is needed. This article by Peter Leithart has some good food for thought regarding our fast-paced modern world.

In our quest to find a new church home we visited here today. Part of the liturgy preceeding communion struck me in a powerful way. It says, in part, "We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Thy table. But Thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy." We, who are not worthy to stoop and untie His sandals, nor gather up the crumbs under His table, are invited to sup with Him, and one day, become His bride. Truly, a miracle!

We sang "Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming" this morning in church. This link has one version featuring soprano Kathleen Battle. All of the verses are not included, but the arrangement and singing are beautiful. This site has the most extensive information I have found concerning the hymn.

"Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming"

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.

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 spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him,
As angel heralds said.

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.

O Savior, Child of Mary, Who felt our human woe,
O Savior, King of glory, Who dost our weakness know;
Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven,
And to the endless day!