A Canticle for Advent: To Redeem Us All

wwu4121813

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown

[Refrain:]
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a blossom,
As white as lily flow’r,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our dear Saviour

[Refrain]

The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To do poor sinners good

[Refrain]

The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
On Christmas Day in the morn

[Refrain]

The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as the gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
For to redeem us all

[Refrain]

The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown
~18th century traditional carol

19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 2: 19-20

We, the children of God–
created white as the blossom,
blood red as the berry,
sharp as the prickly edge,
bitter as the bark —
we, redeemed and glorified,
are the crown of thorns and joy He wears.