O Oriens : O Dayspring

December 21

 

 

READER

O Dayspring, Splendor of Light Everlasting and Sun of Righteousness: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

 

PREACHER

Is there anyone here  who thought he could hide his wickedness in the darkness but now realizes that the darkness possesses him? And even though she once hated the Light, she now knows that only the Light can save her from this place of weeping and gnashing of teeth? Then we say to that person, “Brother, Sister, take heart! The Sun of righteousness shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot master Him. He comes to give you righteousness. In Him, you will shine like the stars. His name is Emmanuel. He is God-with-us and He is with you, too. So rejoice and sing:”

 

PEOPLE

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!