December 21st - O Dayspring

In today's O Antiphon, we call Jesus the "dawn" or "dayspring." In wintertime nights are long and days are short. So we call on God to be light to us at this time of the winter solstice, the shortest days of the year. Just as the dawning sun soon rises high in the sky and shines brightly, we think again of the coming of Jesus who is our "sun of justice" and "light of the world." Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah (60:19-21,22).
        
              The Lord says this:
              "You won't need the light of the sun or the moon.
              I, the Lord your God, will be your eternal light
              and bring you honor.
              Your sun will never set or your moon go down.
              I, the Lord, will be your everlasting light,
              and your days of sorrow will come to an end.
              I am the Lord, and when the time comes,
              I will quickly do all this."

O come, O Dayspring, from on high

And cheer us by your drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadow put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.