“Robed in the blooming garb of spring”
In all of my hymnals, (and I have been gifted dozens of hymnals) “Robed in the blooming garb of spring” is the second line of the second stanza of “Fairest Lord Jesus.” This is one of my favorite hymns (and I have dozens of favorite hymns),
Last week, I heard the aforementioned hymn on the radio, and for the first time in my life, I pondered, “Exactly who or what is ‘Robed in the blooming garb of spring?’” I turned off the radio and sang the first couple lines of stanza two.
Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring.
So . . . it’s the meadows and the woodlands which are donning these springtime blossoms. Hmm.
With thoughts of flowers and blooms and spring, my mind drifts to Cape Charles, Va.
John and I divide our time each week between Richmond, Va. and Cape Charles, Va. Most of our friends who live in the historic district of Cape Charles own golf carts. We do not. Instead, we choose to walk in this very walkable “Mayberry by the Bay.”
And we walk a lot!
I’m not complaining. No, no. We enjoy walking. (Well, except for the month of March when the frigid wind off of the Chesapeake Bay makes our quaint “Mayberry” feel more like Juneau, Alaska.)
It’s my humble opinion that the best season for walking in Cape Charles is when our neighbor’s yards are “robed in the blooming garb of spring.” Oh, my goodness. I’ve never seen such a glorious display of blossoms and blooms in my life. I’m talking both flowers and fruit.
On one of my recent jaunts about town, I continued my reflection on the lyrics of “Fairest Lord Jesus” and was reminded that as beautiful and fair as our adopted hometown is in the springtime, it cannot compare with the beauty and fairness and brightness of our Lord Jesus.
The hymn writer states that not only is He fairer than the meadows and woodlands when adorned with flower and fruit blossoms, but that Jesus also shines brighter than the sunshine and the moonlight and the stars.
I believe that these powerful lyrics are worthy of some serious pondering. I believe that they are also worthy of a response from me—and from all of God’s creation.
So, what’s my response?
I return to the lyrics of this hymn to find a satisfactory answer.
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son;
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
Credit is certainly due to the person who penned the words of this beautiful hymn. And I would happily share a name with you—if I knew what his or her name was. Unfortunately, the words were written by that most elusive of lyricists: “Anonymous.” I also don’t know when or by whom the words were translated from the original German into English.
But here’s what I do know . . .
1. The words of this hymn are so old that they are in the public domain, and I can share them without “busting” copyright laws.
2. Springtime blossoms in Cape Charles will soon be by replaced by sweltering daytime temperatures. And when that happens, you’re apt to find me on the front porch of our cottage at nighttime enjoying a southerly breeze, looking up at all the twinkling starry host, and softly singing:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.
Amen.
