Scripture Reading

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
   and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
   and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
   and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
   and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;
   they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
   and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
   your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
   the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

The sun shall no longer be
   your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
   give light to you by night;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
   and your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
   or your moon withdraw itself;
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
   and your days of mourning shall be ended.
Your people shall all be righteous;
   they shall possess the land for ever.
They are the shoot that I planted, the work of my hands,
   so that I might be glorified.
                             (cf Isaiah 60: 1-5, 19-21  NRSV)

Picture from the nuns at Turvey Abbey

Reflection

The northern hemisphere enters the winter solstice today - the longest night is upon us. The sunlight - if we should have it - is weakened and short-lived. Our bodies and minds begin to long for the turning of the year - the gradual increase in day length that draws us into springtime. But we are not there yet. Today is the solstice - today we live the shortest day - looking ahead to a new and brighter dawn.

In what ways does your mood - your feelings reflect the darkness of these days? Where do you see hope for the coming of a new dawn?

Write down - or copy and paste - a verse - a phrase - or an idea based on your reflection to refer to during the day.

Prayer

O Rising Sun, you are the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

The O Antiphon introduces the Magnificat in Evening Prayer between 17 and 23 December. You may like to include that in your prayer today.

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