NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 12/21

As one who grieves each year the shortening of days at summer's end each, I'm grateful for the winter solstice on December 21, after which the days begin to lengthen once again.  The beautiful blessing (just below) and image (at the end of the post) are the artistry of Jan Richardson, making of the solstice an Advent blessing... 

Blessing for the Longest Night

All throughout these months
as the shadows
have lengthened,
this blessing has been
gathering itself,
making ready,
preparing for
this night.

It has practiced
walking in the dark,
traveling with
its eyes closed,
feeling its way
by memory
by touch
by the pull of the moon
even as it wanes.

So believe me
when I tell you
this blessing will
reach you
even if you
have not light enough
to read it;
it will find you
even though you cannot
see it coming.

You will know
the moment of its
arriving
by your release
of the breath
you have held
so long;
a loosening
of the clenching
in your hands,
of the clutch
around your heart;
a thinning
of the darkness
that had drawn itself
around you.

This blessing
does not mean
to take the night away
but it knows
its hidden roads,
knows the resting spots
along the path,
knows what it means
to travel
in the company
of a friend.

So when
this blessing comes,
take its hand.
Get up.
Set out on the road
you cannot see.

This is the night
when you can trust
that any direction
you go,
you will be walking
toward the dawn.

       - Jan Richardson

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen.

 

Tonight's song, one of my favorites, is a truly ancient hymn. In Greek, it's the Phos Hilaron (translated: gladdening light; gladsome light; joyful light). The lyrics are an ode to Christ, our Light in the darkness, the Light no darkness can extinguish.  Christians have prayed and sung these words at evening prayer since the late third century...

O Radiant Light

If a video doesn't appear below, click here!

O Radiant Light from Stuart Douglas Hirsch on Vimeo.

O radiant Light, O Sun divine  
Of God the Father's deathless face,  
O image of the light sublime  
That fills this heav'nly dwelling place. 

Lord Jesus Christ, as daylight fades,  
As shine the lights of eventide,  
We praise the Father with the Son,  
The Spirit blest, and with them one.

O Son of God, the source of life,  
Praise is your due by night and day.  
Unsullied lips must raise the praise
 Of your proclaimed and splendid name.  

O radiant Light, O Sun divine  
Of God the Father's deathless face,  
O image of the light sublime  
That fills this heav'nly dwelling place.  

 

Advent Blessing  

    composed by Michael Joncas and Alan Hommerding

 

Art by Jan Richardson: used with permission

 

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