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THE FOURTH O ANTIPHON: O RADIANT DAWN
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
THE SCRIPTURE READINGS: ISAIAH 9:2 AND John 1:1-5 and John 8:12
Read the antiphon one more time. Then read the Isaiah prophecy:
"The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen." (Isaiah 9:2)
Again, read the antiphon. Then read these words from the gospel of John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL
Here is an instrumental version by The Piano Guys of the 12th century hymn written to accompany the O Antiphons. We know it as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. You can get it HERE:
SELAH (PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT IT)
What darkness is threatening to overtake you right now? Can you name its source? Are you willing to retrieve and renew the gospel conviction that darkness has already been ovecome by light? Before departing this moment, sit silently in the Presence of the Real Light of God. Can you let it fill you? Are you willing to take some of that light into your world today?
BENEDICTION
A child has been born for us. God’s grace has been given to us. From a stable in Bethlehem our savior has come. We have seen the glory of the Lord, revealed in the face of the Christ child. We can hardly contain our amazement. I will ponder this in my heart. I will treasure the story. I will tell the world. I will glorify and praise God for all I have heard and seen.
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