Words of Reflection
Yesterday we spent some time thinking about names and titles associated with Jesus. There are many we could focus on—after all, according to some resources there are nearly 200 names and titles for Christ found in the pages of Scripture. There is one name, though, that we tend to only hear at Christmastime because of its appearance in a familiar carol:
O come Thou Dayspring come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
The reason we don’t encounter the word “Dayspring” in most modern contexts is because it’s a word that was used by the King James Bible in translating Luke 1:78:
“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”—Luke 1:78-79 (KJV)
Most modern translations, however, simply use words like “dawn,” “sunrise,” or “light” when translating the Greek word ἀνατολή from that verse. It’s part of the song of Zechariah (which we considered on Day Five of this devotional) where John’s father is describing the call of his son:
“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”—Luke 1:76-79 (NIV)
It’s such a perfect image for Jesus: the long-awaiting sunrise after a long night of darkness and despair. The name “Dayspring” calls to mind a sudden appearance, as the sun “springs” over the horizon. It can also mean source, as a spring serves as the source of a river. Both resonate with the coming of the Messiah—he is the source of all things (John 1:3), and he is the one who suddenly appears on the horizon of human history and changes it forever (Galatians 4:4-5).
The carols of Advent and Christmas are filled with images of light, and they remind us that Christ not only comes to bring light to the entire world, he comes to bring light to each of us. Left to our own devices and decisions we stumble in the darkness, but when we encounter Jesus we find illumination for our souls. When that happens, the shadows no longer have any claim on us. As John wrote:
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”—John 1:4-5 (NIV)
May the Dayspring from on high visit us anew this Advent season. Oh how desperately our world needs that light.
Oh how desperately we need it that light as well.
Scripture for Meditation:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”—Isaiah 60:1-3 (NIV)
Song: Advent Hymn (lyrics here)
Questions for Contemplation:
How does this image of “Dayspring” speak to you during this Advent season? Into what shadows, what long night, are you hoping to see the light of God break through? Spend some time simply asking for the dawn of God’s love to be known wherever the darkness still reigns.
How can the image of God’s light of love be something you can return to as Christmas approaches, allowing the comfort and encouragement it brings to speak to you? Perhaps the use of a candle, or an image, or even the lights on your tree can become a tool for reflecting on Jesus our Dayspring.
How do these workd from Christy Nockel’s song speak to you today? Sit with them in expectant prayer, and lay your soul’s longing before God.
So here I wait in hope of you
All my soul's longing through and through
Dayspring from on high be near
Day Star in my heart appear