Sun Rising over a Hill & a Brillian Sun in the Sky
Theme: Jesus is the Radiant Dawn
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul…
I love when Lauds has antiphons that talk about Jesus being like the rising sun. The placement of Christmas and the birth of St. John the Baptist is partially because of the summer and winter solstices. John the Baptist was about 6 months older than his cousin, and we can refer to what he told his followers, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The days grow shorter after we celebrate John’s birth, until we reach the darkest days of the year in mid-to-late December. Then, after Christmas, the days grow gradually longer and there’s more light in the world.
Jesus is that light in our world, even in times when things seem dark and hopeless. Nothing is every really hopeless as long as we have our eyes on Christ, though, for He is a Light in the darkness. The darkness cannot overcome this Light. When you are feeling alone, don’t despair! Look to the Light: look to Jesus, the Radiant Dawn in our world.
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.
Meditation text and images © Christine Johnson
Domestic Vocation 