Sitting in Stillness as We Await the Radiant Dawn
Originally published for Wisdom Dwelling.com on Dec. 21, 2024 A tradition of the Church that was started in the eighth century and continues today is the recitation of the “O Antiphons” during these final days of Advent. The O Antiphons are phrases that refer to the coming of Christ and are titles given to the Messiah from the Old Testament. The O Antiphons are recited at Mass and also during Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours during the praying of the Magnificat. The antiphon for December 21 is traditionally: “ 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”. This image of light is a perfect one as we approach the great feast of Christmas. Jesus, the Incarnation, is the light being sent into the darkness of earth. As John the Evangelist mentions in the opening of his Gospel: “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Hopefully, during this Adven...
