A MEDITATION ON THE DAWN (O ORIENS) FOR DECEMBER 21ST

Christ, the Rising Sun: Light for Those Who Dwell in Darkness

“O Day-Spring, Brightness of Light Eternal, and Sun of Righteousness: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.” 

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

The fifth of the O Antiphons, “O Oriens”, offers a luminous vision of Christ as the Day-Spring, the Sun of Righteousness who rises to dispel the darkness and bring life to those who dwell in the shadow of death. Rooted in the ancient prophecy of Malachi—“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2)—this antiphon reminds us of the Advent hope that the night is far spent, and the dawn of salvation has come in Christ. 

This is the cry of every human heart that longs for the light, for deliverance from sin and despair. In a world still shrouded in shadows, “O Oriens” calls us to look to Christ, the true Light, who scatters the darkness and illuminates the path to eternal life. 

The Great Prophecy

The prophecy of the "Righteous Orient" or a "Righteous Branch" arises from Jeremiah 23:5-6:

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

The term "orient" comes from the Latin word “oriens”, meaning "rising" or "east," and is often associated with Christ as the Rising Light or Dawn. This imagery is also connected to Zechariah 6:12, where the prophecy of the "Branch" points to the coming Messiah:

“Behold the man whose name is the Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.”

Additionally, Malachi 4:2 gives a poetic parallel by describing Christ as the "Sun of Righteousness":

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.”

These prophetic images, particularly in the Septuagint and patristic interpretation, reflects the Messiah as a light from the East - fulfilling the hope of salvation and righteousness for the people of God.

The Day-Spring: Christ Our Light

This title has often been translated as “Day-Spring” into English, and evokes the image of the first light of dawn breaking over the horizon, announcing the arrival of a new day. This imagery finds its fulfillment in Christ, the Word made flesh, who declares, “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). 

In Advent, we stand like watchmen awaiting the dawn, yearning for the light of Christ to pierce the shadows of sin and death. The coming of Christ is not just the dawn of a new day but the dawning of a new creation, where the darkness of the Fall is overcome by the radiant glory of God. 

As we sit here in silence, we should ask ourselves the questions…

Do we open our hearts to the light of Christ, allowing it to dispel the shadows of pride, fear, and despair? Do we live as children of the light, reflecting His brightness in a world still cloaked in darkness? 

The Rising of the Righteous Orient

The Ancient Melody of the Oriens Chant

The Sun of Righteousness: Healing and Justice

“O Oriens… Sun of Righteousness.” The Sun of Righteousness, foretold by Malachi, rises with healing in His wings, bringing restoration to the broken and justice to the oppressed. In Christ, the light of God’s righteousness shines forth, exposing sin and injustice while offering the hope of redemption and renewal. 

This light is both comforting and convicting. It heals those who turn to it in faith, yet it also calls us to repentance, to turn from the deeds of darkness and walk in the light of truth. Advent invites us to reflect on the ways we need Christ’s healing and to surrender ourselves to the refining fire of His love. 

As we sit here in silence, we should ask ourselves the questions…

Do we allow the light of Christ to illuminate our hidden places, bringing healing and holiness? Do we, as bearers of His light, work to bring His justice and mercy to a world longing for the dawn? 

The Light of the World: A Beacon of Hope

“O Oriens… come and enlighten those who sit in darkness.” Christ’s coming is the answer to Isaiah’s prophecy: “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). He is the fulfillment of Zechariah’s song, the “Dayspring from on high” who visits us to “guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79). 

The world still sits in the shadow of death. Wars rage, hearts grow cold, and many live in the hopelessness of spiritual darkness. Yet the light of Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5). 

As we draw near to Christmas, we are reminded that the Incarnation is the dawn of hope, the promise that the darkness will not have the final word. Christ, our Day-Spring, has come and will come again, bringing the fullness of His light and peace. 

“O Day-Spring, Brightness of Light Eternal, and Sun of Righteousness: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.” 

COLLECT

O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting Light and Sun of Righteousness: Shine, we beseech Thee, upon our souls, and scatter the darkness of sin, that we may walk in Thy light and rejoice in Thy presence forever; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.