O Root of Jesse

O Root of Jesse, standard raised for all people—kings will stand dumb in your presence, the Gentiles will pay you homage:  come!  Deliver us!  No longer delay!

Here from the root of David the royal purple springs forth, from Jesse, a hidden shoot begins to take life.   The image is of a large dead tree stump with a small tender green shoot in the center, pushing its way bravely toward the light; an image of hope and new beginnings.

WHO IS LIKE YOU, JESUS, SWEET PEACE?  CHOSEN FROM MANY, LIFE OF THOSE WHO ARE LOST, ALONG WITH THEIR LIGHT, JESUS, SWEET PEACE.  LIFE WHICH TO REDEEEM FROM ALL NEED, HAS TASTED DEATH, COVERED OUR GUILT, AND OUT OF NEED, LED US TO GOD. (1)

O GOD WHO SET THE STARS IN PLACE, O LIGHT THAT CROWNS ETERNAL HILLS, UPON OUR PRAYER, UPON OUR HOPE, YOUR EVERLASTING MERCY SPILLS.   THE WORLD IS WEARY AND IN PAIN, ITS WOUNDS UNATTENDED AND UNBOUND.  COMPASSIONATE AND GENTLE LORD, COME SWIFTLY, MAKE IT WHOLE AGAIN.
HOW LIKE THE SUN THE BRIDEGROOM COMES, HOW GLADLY FROM HIS BRIDAL ROOM.  AS DARKNESS FALLS UPON THE EARTH, HE SPRINGS FROM MARY’S VIRGIN WOMB.
WE PRAISE THE FATHER AND THE SON AND SPIRIT IN WHOSE FOLDED WINGS, THE VIRGIN LAID HER PROMISES AND KNELT TO PONDER MANY THINGS. (2)

1) J. Freylingausen
2) Advent hymn M. Pollard