splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness;
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
O Antiphons, Traditional
Advent is traditionally observed as a fast of self-reflection similar to Lent. However, my weeping in this season tends to be not so much for my own sinfulness as it is for the sin of the world and the resultant suffering of His people and creation. The darkness and shadow of death seem to have hit especially close to home for many of us this year. And so, let us spend time with the promises of the coming of His light.
“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings….” –Malachi 4:2“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in you midst, declares the Lord.” –Zechariah 2:10“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” –Isaiah 60:1 & 2“Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful and righteous.” –Psalm 112:4“In the tender compassion of our God the Dayspring from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” –Luke 1:78-79“The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.” –Psalm 50:1 & 2“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 1:4-5“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.” –Isaiah 9:2
“For you will see the Dayspring at your waking
Beyond your long last line the dawn is breaking.”
–Malcolm Guite, “O Oriens,” Waiting on the Word
Photos taken through Advent 2020 over Tuttle Creek Reservoir, Kansas
Cairn : Eagle : Home 