Many chapters have been written about the poetic excellencies of this hymn, such as the perfect balance of its parts, the admirable treatment of the contrast between the rose and the thorns, and the skillful choice of rhymes to underscore the predominating sentiment of each verse. But some of these excellencies have no doubt been lost in the translation and can be appreciated only by a study of the original. English translations of the hymn have been made by German-, Swedish-, and Norwegian-American writers, indicating its wide popularity. The following is but another attempt to produce a more adequate rendering of this beautiful song. Now found is the fairest of roses, Midst briars it sweetly reposes. My Jesus, unsullied and holy, Abode among sinners most lowly. Since man his Creator deserted, And wholly His image perverted, The world like a desert was lying, And all in transgressions were dying. But God, as His promises granted, A rose in the desert hath planted, Which now with its sweetness endoweth The race that in sinfulness groweth. All people should now with sweet savor Give praise unto God for His favor; But many have ne'er comprehended The rose to the world hath descended. Ye sinners as vile in behavior As thorns in the crown of the Savior, Why are ye so prideful in spirit, Content with your self-righteous merit? O seek ye the places more lowly, And weep before Jesus, the Holy, Then come ye His likeness the nearest; The rose in the valley grows fairest. My Jesus, Thou ever remainest My wonderful rose who sustainest My heart in the fullness of pleasure; Thy sweetness alone I will treasure. The world may of all things bereave me, Its thorns may assail and aggrieve me, The foe may great anguish engender: My rose I will never surrender. The last Christmas hymn of the collection is printed under the heading: "A Little Hymn for the Children", and is composed from the text "Have ye not read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise". Said to be the oldest children's hymn in Danish, it is still one of the finest. It is written as a processional. The children come hastening on to Bethlehem to find the new-born Lord and offer Him their homage. One almost hears their pattering feet and happy voices as they rush forward singing: Here come Thy little ones, O Lord, To Thee in Bethlehem adored. Enlighten now our heart and mind That we the way to Thee may find. We hasten with a song to greet And kneel before Thee at Thy feet. O blessed hour, O sacred night, When Thou wert born, our soul's Delight! Be welcome from Thy heavenly home Unto this vale of tears and gloom, Where man to Thee no honor gave But stable, manger, cross and grave.