O Dayspring

"O Dayspring, brightness of eternal Light and Sun of Justice; come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death."
The first rays of the morning sun which slowly spill over the edge of the horizon like blinding swords of fire, brighter even than the glowing reds, oranges and purples of dawn's dramatic backdrop, cannot but cause wonder and give hope and promise for a bright and good day. Such is the Dayspring's promise to us as we draw closer to the day for which we have been preparing. In that context and in the framework of a South Dakota sunrise (totally unobstructed by trees and buildings) the words of the prophets Malachi and Isaiah lift us out of the gloom of our anxieties, doubts, fears, and sadnesses: "Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,/ when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,/ And the day that is coming will set them on fire,/leaving them neither root nor branch,/says the Lord of hosts. But for you who fear my name, there will arise/ the sun of justice with its healing rays." (Mal. 3: 19-20). "On that day,/ The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory." (Is. 4:2) Sit quietely for a moment and ponder these fiery and hopefilled words as if you were awaiting the sunrise, the coming of the dayspring from on high. May their light and warmth be with you through the day.
Bro. Rene