Lo...How Blessed LO, HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING (15th c. German carol, tr. Baker/16th c. German psalter, arr. Praetorius) 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. BLESSED BE THE GOD OF ISRAEL (Quinn/English Melody, arr. R. Vaughn Williams) Blessed be the God of Israel, The everliving Lord, Who comes in pow'r to save His own, His people, Israel. For Israel He raises up Salvation's tower on high In David's house, who reigned as king and servant of the Lord. Through holy prophets did He speak His word in days of old; That He would save us from our foes And all who bear us ill. To our ancestors did He give His covenant of love; So with us all He keeps His word In love that knows no end. O tiny Child, Your name shall be The prophet of the Lord; The way of God You shall prepare To make His coming known. You shall proclaim to Israel Salvation's dawning day, When God shall wipe away all sins In His redeeming love.