First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.

For we know the sweet power of his presence. His fragrance with sweetness fills the air. This aroma of a savior clears the room of gloom. He dispels with glorious splendor that darkness everywhere.

Now we know it in a taste, a scent that we catch on the wind. We know it in our personal lives when we realize how he gave us hope when we were in despair. He gave us cleansing forgiveness when we seemed forever stained with guilt. He gave us direction when we were wandering. He brought us home when we were lost. He sent love to us again when we thought we were only despicable. He still does it. And these roses blooming in the desert are signs of what is to come.

In these difficult days, with advent yearning, we hold hard to the hope. Streams will flow in the desert. Paths to life will arise in the wilderness. In the rocky barren places life will grow. Jesus Christ has come to us, a rose ever blooming. And he will come again.