The Father's Love
A wonderful combination of Es ist ein Ros (Lo, how a Rose) and Divinum mysterium (Of the Father’s Love begotten); Two part (men/women) choir and organ. You'll do this one even if you have a thirty voice choir of paid soloists! Absolutely beautiful for Christmas Eve communion.
Of the Father's Love begotten, ere the worlds began to be;
He is Alpha and Omega, he the source, the ending he;
Of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see
Evermore and Evermore.
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 flow'ret bright
Amid the cold of winter,
When half-spent was the night.
This flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air.
Dispels with glorious splendor,
The darkness everywhere.
True man but very God,
From sin and death he saves us,
And lightens every load.
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
This is he whom heaven taught singers
Sang of old with one accord,
Whom the scriptures of the prophets,
Promised in their faithful word,
Now he shines, the long-expected,
Let creation praise its Lord:
Evermore and evermore.