Scripture Verse

There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1

Introduction

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Charles Wesley
1707–1788

Words: Charles Wes­ley, Hymns for the Na­ti­vi­ty of Our Lord (Lon­don: Will­iam Stra­han, 1745), num­ber 20.

Music: El­la­combe Ge­sang­buch der Herz­ogl. Wir­tem­berg­isch­en Ka­thol­isch­en Hof­ka­pe­lle (Würt­tem­berg, Ger­ma­ny: 1784). Adapt­ed & har­mo­nized by Will­iam H. Monk in the 1868 ap­pendix to Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, num­ber 366 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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William H. Monk
1823–1889

Lyrics

Branch of Jesse’s stem, arise,
And in our nature grow;
Turn our earth to paradise,
By flourishing below:
Bless us with the spirit of grace
Immeasurably shed on Thee;
Pour on all the faithful race
The streaming Deity!

Let the Spirit of our Head
On all the members rest;
From Thyself to us proceed,
And dwell in every breast;
Teach to judge and act aright,
Inspire with wisdom from above,
Holy faith and heavenly might,
And reverential love.

Lord, of Thee we fain would learn
Thy heavenly Father’s will;
Give us quickness to discern,
And boldness to fulfill:
All His mind to us explain,
And His name on us impress,
Then our souls thro’ Thee attain
The spotless righteousness.