sentences:  The rose in the text is a symbolic reference to the Virgin Mary, and the hymn makes reference to the Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah which in Christian interpretation foretell the Incarnation of Christ, and to the Tree of Jesse, a traditional symbol of the lineage of Jesus.Because of its prophetic theme, the song is popular during the Christian season of Advent.The hymn has its roots in an unknown author prior to the 17th century.