“O Dayspring”
Sunday’s Verse:
From Isaiah 9:22 ESV
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
Darkness is not merely the lack of light. It is, in the words of Isaiah, something people “walk in”. It envelops and disorients and presses down upon the soul. The prophet Isaiah does not try to sugarcoat it. This is deep darkness. This is real fear. This is real distress.
Into that darkness, the prophet promises the Dayspring. Not a sudden blaze that banishes all shadows in a single stroke, but a rising. A dawning. Light that comes from outside of ourselves, given and not earned.
For the Church, that light is Christ Himself. Into a world warped by sin and death, He comes, and does not tarry for the darkness to roll away by itself. He steps into it. In His Word, in His forgiveness, in His body and blood, the light breaks in again and again. Often quietly. Always faithfully.
Advent calls us to remember that God’s answer to darkness is not explanation but presence. The Dayspring comes for those who cannot find their way, for those who sit in shadow, and for those who feel forgotten. The light shines not because we are ready but because God is gracious.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
O Dayspring, Light from on high, shine upon us who walk in darkness. Lift up our eyes to Your promises, strengthen our faith, and guide our steps until the day when night is no more. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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