December 21 (O Morning Star)
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Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal
and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who
dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Isaiah had prophesied:
"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." Isaiah 9:2
O Oriens: O Morning Star
(Written by Sanseria Murray)
December 21st marks the
beginning of winter, a season that will be long, cold, and lifeless. It is the
shortest and darkest day of the year. There is no light at the North Pole. The
night is long. This is the day we celebrate, Christ the Morning Star, the Light
of the World. And it seems odd.
Jesus is the bright Morning
Star. When we are groping in the darkness and blinded by our sin, Christ enters
in with His piercing light to expose what we cannot see. Often in our lives we
struggle in the dark, afraid. We hide under the cover of night, ashamed. Not
wanting to be found out. Not knowing the extent of our deep hurt. Or perhaps we
are wrapped in the dark night of our soul. Or are we trapped by grief. Broken.
Shattered. Saddened that life didn’t turn out the way we planned. Here after
night has been so long, and we have wrestled and questioned. We are left with
nothing but time. It is in this, our darkest hour that we wait. Anticipate. We
welcome, almost holding our breath, wondering, waiting. Ready and eager for
change, we long for something different, new. So we wait, anticipate. And right
before the dawn, when it is darkest, before the dawn breaks through, there
shines the bright Morning Star. It is a beacon of light, telling of the promise
of a new day. Our soul brightens. Our spirit lifts. Our hearts rejoice.
Come Jesus Christ, Light of
the World, Bright Morning Star, light our way.
O come Thou Dayspring come
and cheer
Our spirits by Thy justice here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
The Magnificat (Song of Mary) - Luke 1:46-55
My Soul Magnifies the Lord
And my spirit does rejoice in God my Savior
My Soul Magnifies the Lord
And my spirit does rejoice in God my Savior
Praise the Almighty God, He’s done great things for us
Holy is His name
Praise the Almighty God, He’s done great things for us
Holy is His name
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Musical refrain by J. Brooke Fenwick