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.

“Radiant Dawn” has been translated in numerous ways, including “Morning Star”, “Dayspring”, and “Rising Sun.” All of these images convey the beauty of light shattering the darkness of night, bringing an end to sin and death, to sickness and despair. This brightness of the dawn warms and encourages us as it melts our cold, cynical hearts. Jesus is the true light of the world, the radiance of God’s splendor. Every morning, the church prays the Benedictus in the words of Zechariah: “He, the Dayspring, shall visit us in his mercy to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:78-79).