DECEMBER 22 - Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. — ISAIAH 11:1
For Ken and me, our favorite Christmas tradition is dressing in our finest and treating the rest of the family to a fabulous holiday dinner at Lawry’s Prime Rib in Beverly Hills. We drive slowly down Wilshire Boulevard, oohing and aahing at the store window displays, the lampposts trimmed with poinsettias, and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel with its huge Christmas tree out front. With “Silver Bells” echoing down the boulevard, the only thing missing is snow!
Lawry’s is an elegant restaurant. Waiters in tuxedos. Crystal and linen, silver and candlelight. While dining, it’s fun watching the carolers go from table to table, singing everyone’s favorite carol. They’re dressed Victorian style, like a quartet straight out of a Dickens novel. When the carolers stop by our table and I give my request, they always look surprised. No one else ever requests “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” But it’s no problem; the quartet loves this carol too. The harmony is mystifying and deeply moving. “Lo, how a rose e’er blooming / from tender stem hath sprung, / of Jesse’s lineage coming, / as men of old have sung. . . .”
By the time the carolers conclude the last note, I’m coming out of a dream, usually with tears streaming down my face. To me, this song has always been an invitation to know and experience more of what Christmas really means. It’s an inkling, a hint, a whisper of an even greater celebration yet to be.
Soon and very soon, the Rose of Sharon will return and, with him, all the fragrance and joy of a longing fulfilled. This year when you ponder his coming as a babe in Bethlehem, remember also that he will come again, putting every wrong to right and reigning as Prince of Peace and King of Kings.
Lord Jesus, you were born a King, but so few acknowledged you. May I never, never be ashamed to own and honor you as my King.
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