December 21, 2024
The Great ``O'' Antiphons -- Part 5
Luke 1:78-79
12/21/2024
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby
the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in
the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the
way of peace. (ESV)
O Dayspring, splendor of light ever- |
lasting:*
Come and enlighten those in darkness and
in the shad- | ow of death.
The great ``O'' Antiphon for the twenty-first of December
comes from the Song of Zechariah, found in the first chapter of
Luke:
Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the
sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to
those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
This antiphon, which reflects also the prophet Isaiah, ``The
people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who
dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined,''[1]
applies to Jesus' second coming. The wording of the antiphon
reflects the older King James translation which uses the term
``Dayspring'' in place of ``sunrise'' in the Benedictus. This
specialized Messianic title says that the rising of the morning
light overcomes the darkness of night.
We pray, therefore, that Jesus, the Light that no darkness
can overcome, return quickly to redeem this world from the gloom
of sin and death.
May our Lord grant us the light of faith which holds firmly
to God's rich promises of grace and mercy. Amen.
____________________
1. Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)