O Root of Jesse (O Radix)

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

O Root of Jesse, the tender shoot From whom the kingdom springs In this world reach down, take root To free the captives, bring your blessings. O Root of Jesse, who walked Galilee Working wonders among your own Stopping to heal those why cried, “Mercy!” But for you, no mercy was shown. O Root of Jesse, born to die, Raised on a tree, thorns for a crown, Raised to life, the tomb opened to sky-- The stump springs green though the tree cut down. O Root of Jesse, who makes men free, Take root in my heart and grow in me

© Randy Edwards 2015 artwork: The Jesse Tree in the Lambeth Psalter, unknown English miniaturist, c.1140s #poetry #sonnet #advent #christian #devotional #greatoantiphon