The Christmas Rose (helleborus niger) is a perennial herb with lobed leaves and a white five-pedal flower (image; it is blooming in midwinter and therefore is called the Christmas Rose. Because it blooms in early Spring in some regions it is often also called the Lenten Rose (Britannica, vol. 11, p. 402, 1960).
While in the U.S. the Poinsettia has become the preferred Christmas flower, German decorations use the symbol of the Christmas rose, frequently with an evergreen branch. It can be found on table clothes, napkins, wrapping paper and Christmas cards.
Christ as the rose is a common theme which runs through the whole Bible. Martin Luther adopted it as his coat of arms and insignia. For the Harmonists, first settlers of New Harmony, Indiana, a golden rose was their symbol for Christ. Frederick Rapp carved a golden rose above the door of the Harmonist church.
Below is a favorite German Christmas song depicting Christ as the "Christmas Rose." You will find an English version in some hymnals. Here is an audio (midi) file of:
| ES IST EIN' ROS' ENTSPRUNGEN | BEHOLD A BRANCH IS GROWING |
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Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen aus einer Wurzel zart. Wie uns die Alten sungen, von Jesse kam die Art. Und hat ein Blümlein bracht mitten im kalten Winter Wohl zu der halben Nacht
Das Blümlein, das ich meine
Wir bitten dich von Herzen, |
Behold a branch is growing of lov'liest form and grace, as prophets sung, foreknowing; it springs from Jesse's race and bears one little flow'r in midst of coldest winter, at deepest midnight hour.
Isaiah hath foretold it
O savior, child of Mary, |
Ruth Reichmann
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