Behold a Branch is Growing
Behold a Branch is growing
Behold a Branch is Growing is a hymn text by Christoph von Stieler (1660) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by William Mercer. Found in CW21 360, CW93 47, ELH 121, elw 639. Sung to HYFRYDOL.
This hymn emphasizes Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecy, particularly the shoot from the root of Jesse, presenting the incarnation as God's redemptive plan. It reflects Lutheran understanding of continuity between Old and New Testaments and Christ's dual nature as both judge and merciful savior.
History & Background
Originally written in German as 'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen' by Christoph von Stieler in the 17th century, this hymn was first published in Strasbourg in 1660. The English translation by William Mercer appeared in his Psalms and Hymns (1876) and became standard in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 360
- Christian Worship — 47
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 121
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 639
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 58
- Lutheran Service Book — 359
- Lutheran Worship — 67
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 645
Translation
Bulletin Note
Composed by Christoph von Stieler in 1660, this hymn draws on Isaiah 11's image of the shoot from Jesse's root. It combines medieval symbolism with Lutheran confidence in Christ's dual nature and universal redemption.
Preaching Connection
This hymn illuminates the continuity of God's redemptive Word from Old Testament promise to New Testament fulfillment, showing how the Law's announcement of the coming Judge becomes the Gospel's proclamation of the merciful Savior.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From the angelic proclamation of Christ's birth and peace (Law: human disorder) to the Gospel call for listeners to receive the tranquility Christ offers through his incarnation
Background Research
'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen', author unknown, probably 15th c.; earliest source a manuscript from the Carthusian monastery of St. Alban in Trier; first printed in the Speyer Gesangbuch (Cologne, 1599), text and tune together. Sung by Catholics as a Marian song and by Protestants of Christ. Originally two stanzas; Friedrich Layriz added three in 1844. Praetorius's 1609 harmonization is the one everyone sings. Source: Wikipedia 'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen'.
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Christmas 1 (3×)
- Advent 4 (1×)
- Christmas 2 (1×)
- Christmas Dawn (1×)
- Christmas Day (1×)
- Christmas Eve (1×)
- Christmas Midnight (1×)
- Holy Innocents (1×)
- New Year's Eve (1×)
- St. John (1×)
- Visitation (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Christmas Eve (4×)
- Advent 2 (1×)
- Christmas Midnight (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Overview
A beloved anonymous German Christmas song, first printed in Cologne in 1599. In its earliest Catholic form the 'rose' sprung from Jesse's root was Mary; Lutheran versions, notably Michael Praetorius's in 1609, made the rose (or flower) Christ himself, following Isaiah 11:1. TLH's translation speaks of a 'branch' and a 'Flower.' The branch springs from Jesse as the prophets foretold, blooming in coldest winter at midnight (st. 1); Isaiah foretold it and Mary holds it (st. 2); the shepherds hear and find him (st. 3); the Flower's fragrance and splendor dispel darkness — 'True Man, yet very God' (st. 4); and the hymn prays to the Child of Mary to bring us to heaven (st. 5).
Central theme: Christ the Flower from Jesse's root, true man and true God, born in the dead of winter to save us from sin and death
Structure
Five seven-line stanzas (7.6.7.6.6.7.6). Prophecy (1-2) — shepherds (3) — the Flower's meaning (4) — prayer (5).
Law & Gospel Shape
Gospel: 'From sin and death He saves us' (4). The 'coldest winter… deepest midnight' (1) pictures the world's darkness.
Confessional Connections
'True Man, yet very God' — the personal union of two natures (AC III; FC VIII; Athanasian Creed). 'Through God's eternal will this Child to her is given' — the incarnation by God's decree, the virgin birth (AC III: 'born of the Virgin Mary'). The Lutheran reworking that made the Flower Christ rather than Mary keeps honor for Mary as Theotokos (FC VIII.24) while focusing on her Son. Christ's sympathy with our weakness (st. 5; Heb 4:15).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Christmas; Advent 4; Epiphany season.
Historical Notes
The text survives in a manuscript and was printed in Alte catholische geistliche Kirchengesäng (Cologne, 1599). Praetorius's 1609 harmonization is the setting most choirs sing. The common English 'Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming' (Theodore Baker) is a different translation (row 897).
About the Tune
ES IST EIN ROS (Cologne, 1599; harm. Michael Praetorius, 1609).
Scripture References
Isa 11:1-2 Isa 7:14 Isa 9:2 Luke 2:6-20 Gal 4:4 Song 2:1 John 1:4-5, 9 Col 2:9 Matt 1:21 Matt 11:28-30 Heb 2:17-18 Heb 4:15 Rev 21:23-25
Stanza by Stanza
Look, a branch of loveliest form and grace is growing, as the prophets foresaw and sang; it springs from Jesse's line and bears one little flower in the coldest winter, at the deepest midnight hour.
Isa 11:1 (TLH's text): 'There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.' The stump looked dead — David's line seemed finished — yet God made it bloom. 'Coldest winter… deepest midnight' — the world's darkness (Isa 9:2) and God's timing (Gal 4:4).
- Scripture
- Isa 11:1-2, Isa 9:2, Gal 4:4, Jer 23:5
- Imagery & language
- Branch; Jesse; winter flower; midnight.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — promise fulfilled.
- Connection to previous
- The branch.
Isaiah foretold it in sure promises, and Mary, a meek and pure virgin, holds it in her arms. By God's eternal will this Child is given to her at calm, still midnight.
Isa 7:14: 'the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.' The promise is 'sure.' 'Through God's eternal will' — the incarnation planned before the world (1 Pet 1:20). Mary holds the Child; the honor is hers as Mother of God (FC VIII.24), the focus his.
- Scripture
- Isa 7:14, Matt 1:22-23, Luke 1:30-35, 1 Pet 1:20
- Imagery & language
- Mary's arms; midnight.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the Child given.
- Connection to previous
- Isaiah and Mary.
The shepherds heard the story, proclaimed by bright angels, how Christ, the Lord of glory, was born on earth that night. They hurried to Bethlehem and found him in the manger, as the angel messengers had said.
Luke 2:8-16. 'Lord of glory' (1 Cor 2:8) — the one in the manger is the Lord. They found him 'as angel heralds said' — faith finds Christ where the Word says he is (Luke 2:12).
- Scripture
- Luke 2:8-16, 1 Cor 2:8
- Imagery & language
- Shepherds; angels; manger.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ born.
- Connection to previous
- Shepherds.
This flower, whose gentle fragrance fills the air with sweetness, drives away the darkness everywhere with glorious splendor. True man, yet very God, he saves us from sin and death and lightens every burden.
The theological center: 'True Man, yet very God' — the two natures in one person (AC III; FC VIII; Col 2:9). The light dispelling darkness (John 1:5, 9). 'From sin and death He saves us' (Matt 1:21). 'Lightens every load' (Matt 11:28-30).
- Scripture
- Col 2:9, John 1:4-5, 9, Matt 1:21, Matt 11:28-30, 2 Cor 2:14
- Imagery & language
- Fragrance; splendor; two natures.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the God-man saves.
- Connection to previous
- True Man, very God.
Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human sorrow; Savior, King of glory, who knows our weakness — bring us at last, we pray, to the bright courts of heaven and the endless day.
Christ shares our 'human woe' and 'weakness' (Heb 2:17-18; 4:15) — the incarnation's comfort. 'Child of Mary' and 'King of Glory' in parallel — the same person. The endless day (Rev 21:23-25; 22:5).
- Scripture
- Heb 2:17-18, Heb 4:15, Ps 24:7-10, Rev 21:23-25
- Imagery & language
- Child and King; endless day.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — sympathy and heaven.
- Connection to previous
- Prayer.
Themes
Christ as Messiah Incarnation Hope in salvation Davidic lineage Holy Spirit