O Morning Star – O Antiphons – Day 5
Today’s Antiphon is O Morning Star.
In ancient times a Morning Star was a bright star that outshines all others.
“Stars do not just emit one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, but a range of wavelengths. If you look at the amount of light, a star gives off at different wavelengths, you get a graph {as seen below.} The wavelength at which a star emits the most light is called the star’s peak.” 1
Star light, star bright
The Morning Star is a star always at its peak, so bright and resplendent that its magnificence brings radiance to the darkest of nights.
“O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
(Note: A literal translation of the Latin yields “O Rising Sun,” but the poetic “O Morning Star” or “O Dayspring” is often preferred.)” 2. Also, called, O Radiant Dawn.
Sorrow
Sorrow and sadness are often our companions.
Death hovers – an unwelcome guest. We know death will take us and the ones we love. It’s inevitable and can be terrifying. We dread separation from those we love.
Death cleaves our hearts right in two.
We know one day death will have “no sting,” but here and now, the sting is razor sharp.
He enters into our darkness
But Jesus, the Morning Star,
He comes into all our darkness, pain and despair.
The Morning Star enlightens, steadies and comforts us.
He breaks through the pitch of the night.
Light of the World
Isaiah 9:2 says:
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
Striking a match in thick darkness, the Morning Star flares bright and wondrous.
The Morning Star is the Light of the world.
Leonard Cohen in his song, says:
“Ring the bells (ring the bells) that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything)
That’s how the light gets in.”
It’s true,
our brokenness and pain cracks us wide open;
and yet, through those very cracks,
the Light of the world,
the Morning Star shines.
O Wisdom,
O Lord and Ruler,
O Root of Jesse,
O Key of David,
O Morning Star,
O King of the Nations,
O Emmanuel,
Come, Lord Jesus.
1 http://cas.sdss.org/dr2/en/proj/basic/color/fromstars.asp
2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Antiphons
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Tagged Faith, Fear, Hope, Resurrection