Encore Post: O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting, Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae, veni, et illumina sedentis in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
In the Northern Hemisphere, December is the darkest month of the year — and December 21st the darkest day of the year. The winter solstice occurs in early evening. On that date, dawn occurs at the latest time in the morning and sunset comes at the earliest time. It reminds us of the dark times in which we live — where sin is not restrained, evil seems to rule unhindered and death casts its shadow over us.
Into this darkness, the Daystar shines. The Sun of Righteousness rises to heal us. (Malachi 4:2) We see his great light and it gives us great joy. He breaks the power of sin and death over us. The child born in Bethlehem is now our Lord. (Isaiah 9:2-7) He will guide us in the way of peace.
Our antiphon today calls for Christ, our Dawn, to shine on us in our dark times, to dispel its gloom, bring joy to us and remind us of the last day, soon to come, when the King shall come. On that day, all shadows will disappear and he will dry every tear from our eyes.
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Lutheran Service Book, 357, Stanza Six
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Indiana
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