Christmas 2024: December 14

"Lo, How a Rose E'ere Blooming" is a 16th-century hymn that was extremely popular in the days of Martin Luther, and it is still a favorite sung by many today. Though the author is unknown, it is thought that the song was inspired by another ancient Christmas hymn written by the 8th-century pastor and hymnologist Cosmas the Melodist, titled "Rod of the Root of Jesse." In that particular hymn, Mary is depicted as the rose blooming from the Root of Jesse. As she "blooms," Christ is born.

Similarly, "Lo, How a Rose E'ere Blooming" emphasizes the lineage of Jesus from the tree of Jesse (the father of King David) and the prophecy found in Isaiah 11 that foretells the incarnation of Christ. In this passage, the glorious King emerges from a seemingly dead lineage, a royal line cut off by the Babylonians, but just as Yahweh demonstrates His power and infinite wisdom in the birth of Christ, it will also be demonstrated in the indwelling Spirit of God in Christ. He will have wisdom, understanding, might, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord will accompany Him. As a result, He will rule unlike any other - in perfect alignment with the will of the Father and in perfect righteousness and equity. He will never judge according to hearsay, appearances or to pacify public opinion. Even His very belt will manifest His faithfulness. He will bring perfect peace.

So where does the idea of a "rose blooming" come from? Well, in the German text, "ros entsprungen," is revealed in the second verse to be Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is described to have satisfied the proper lineage to give birth to the Messiah. However, as with other hymns referring to Jesus' Jewish heritage, "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" was banned in Nazi Germany and was re-written as "Uns ist in Licht erstanden, in einer dunklen Winternacht" (A light has risen for us, on a dark winter night"). The remainder of the Nazi text calls upon the sun's light to fall on the Fatherland.