O Dayspring

The fifth O Antiphon:

O Dayspring, Splendor of light everlasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen.

The picture here is that of Christ who will return at the end of time and whose radiant light will completely dispel the darkness of our hearts and souls. We also recall Zechariah’s prophecy concerning Christ: “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” (Luke 1:78-79).

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. [Isaiah 9:2]

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! 

[LSB 357, stanza 6]