"Behold, a Branch is Growing" by Unknown, c. 1500 Translated by Harriet R. Spaeth, 1845-1925; stanzas 1-4 Translated by John C. Mattes, 1876-1948; stanza 5 Text From: THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.458 1. Behold a branch is growing As of loveliest form and grace, As prophets sung, foreknowing; It springs from Jesse's race And bears one little Flower In midst of coldest winter, At deepest midnight hour. 2. Isaiah hath foretold It In words of promise sure, And Mary' s arms enfold It, A virgin meek and pure. Through God's eternal will This Child to her is given At midnight calm and still. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 0 Savior, Child of Mary, Who felt our human woe; 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. ______________________________________________ Notes: Hymn #645 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_ Text: Is. 11:1-2 Author: Unknown, c. 1500 Translated by: Harriet R. Spaeth, 1875; stanzas 1-4 Translated by: John C. Mattes,1914; stanza 5 Titled: "Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen" Tune: "Es ist ein' Ros'" 1st Published in: _Alte geistliche Kirchengesaeng_ Town: Cologne, 1599 ________________________________________________________________ This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St.,Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (219) 481-2123 Fax: (219) 452-2126 ________________________________________________________________