“THE FLOWERS APPEAR ON THE EARTH”
G.A.Brown
Dreary winter overpast, its barren course is run,
Now is come the time of singing, come the summer sun;
Vines in bloom give forth their fragrance, summer flowers appear
And turtle doves’ soft voices soothe the waking ear.
But Jesus knew the blast of winter, bore its icy chill; He knew the darkness and the woe, atonement to fulfil;
He knew the grave’s deep silence, its horror cold and dread, For us in love unfathomed He lay among the dead.
Now resurrection’s morn has broken, vernal fair and bright, The fearsome tomb is empty save for angels clothed in white—
But who so sad and lonesome comes at this unseasoned hour?
‘Tis Mary of Magdala—‘tis summer’s earliest flower!
How precious to her Lord is she, this choicest, fragrant bloom!
To her He gives the message, the watcher of the tomb!
A message full of glory, of risen life above,
His Father and His God now ours, of everlasting love.
Soon other women come to light, a John and Peter too;
The warm rays reach Emmaus’ road and fire two hearts anew, Returning to their company, a bed of spices rare,
They ope’ their petals wide to bloom ‘mid rich profusion there!
Exalted high at God’s right hand, made Lord and Christ above, He spreads His healing influence wide, His mercy, grace and love;
The Spirit here in fertile soil gives life and upward growth—
A fragrant people for His joy, of Jew and Gentile both.
Lord, help us while we wait down here, though hedged about our path
With thorns; may we, as lilies pure, keep in the way of faith;
And court the valley’s shade, obscure, until we hear Thee say.
‘Arise my love, my fair one, arise and come away!’
Edinburgh
December 1984
Published by F. C. Mutton, 22 Christchurch Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4QY, England Printed by Crystal Stationery, 24 High Street, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9BQ, (T) (02774) 50661