Devotional thoughts for Sunday

Sunday 21. December 2014 

Rorate Caeli: 4. Sunday in Advent

O Oriens  

℣ O Morning Star, Splendor of Light Eternal and Sun of Right- | eousness:* 

℟ Draw near and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shad- | ow of death. 

The O Morning Star Antiphon is from Isaiah 9,2: »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.« 

In the Gospel according to John, the Apostle John uses light as one of his metaphors about Jesus. He writes: »In the Word was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome Him.« (John 1,4-5)

In the darkest of our nights, when all hope is extinguished, when death seems unconquerable and when despair is all around us, Christ the Light of the world burns brightly and illuminates the darkness. Hope is restored. Death is conquered. Despair becomes joy. The Light was extinguished for a time. But the Light rekindled Himself. Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and He rose on the third day. He is the Morning Star who heralds the dawning of a new day, a day full of hope, life and joy. This Light took up human flesh and bone and became man. Jesus did this to redeem us and to be the Light of our salvation. In three days we celebrate and remember His birth. 

Prayer: Draw near, O Morning Star, from on high and cheer us by Your drawing nigh, for You disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight.  Amen.