Postscript to Poem (John Robert Howell)

                                                      


        Someone from St. Louis has inquired about the (unintentionally) obscure last line of the Thanksgiving poem I posted.  As I read Mary Baker Eddy in Christ and Christmas, Sharon's rose is a reference to Christ Jesus.  There are a few Christmas carols which speak of the rose, but what is referred to varies.  Herbert Howell's fine carol "A Spotless Rose" seems to refer to Christ Jesus, as does the old German carol, "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen.

       I emphasize, however, these are my quite possibly flawed reading of these carols and Mrs. Eddy. The term "rose of Sharon" occurs in Song of Solomon 2:1), of all places, but appears to have no prophetic intent.  There is also a general reference to the rose in Isaiah 35:1, 2.