On this first day of winter, the fifth of The Great “O” Antiphons invites reflection on the promise of Jesus bringing light to a dark world.
O Dayspring, Brightness of the Light Eternal, and Sun of Righteousness: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
The word “dayspring” can be interpreted as dawn, daybreak, or sunrise. The Northern Hemisphere is at its darkest during the season of Advent. Daylight hours are short, and darkness can descend by mid-afternoon, depending on location. As Advent people we look for a new light, a new sunrise of spirit and hope in the coming birth of Jesus.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.” ~ Isaiah 9:2