Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Christmas Lyrics

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

About This Carol

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming is a serene and mystical Christmas carol with roots reaching back to the late 16th century in Germany. Originally titled Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, the hymn first appeared in print in 1599, though the melody may be even older. The English translation we know today was crafted by Theodore Baker in the late 19th century, preserving the poetic essence of the original text.

The "rose" in the carol is symbolic—interpreted by many as representing the Virgin Mary or, more broadly, Jesus as a divine gift springing forth in the dead of winter. The song draws heavily on imagery from Isaiah 11:1: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse,” which links the rose to the lineage of Christ.

Its melody is gentle, flowing, and meditative, often performed a cappella or with soft instrumental accompaniment. The carol’s reflective tone and haunting harmony make it a beloved piece in choral Christmas services and concerts, especially those held in candlelight or contemplative settings.

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming stands out not for grandeur, but for grace. It invites listeners to pause, reflect, and take in the quiet miracle of Christmas in all its stillness and symbolism.

Performance Video

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