Herbert Howells: A Spotless Rose
King’s College Cambridge

A Spotless Rose is blowing,
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seers’ foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter,
And in the dark midnight.

The Rose which I am singing,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid;
For through God’s great love and might
The Blessed Babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter’s night.

In case you’ve missed earlier Advent posts:
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8