It is sung on the darkest evening of the year, and it asks for light. It is hard to think of a better prayer for this day.
Historical Context
The O Antiphons are at least twelve centuries old, and they are the source of the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” whose verses are a paraphrase of them. The verse “O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer” is the English version of today’s antiphon.
A December 21 Prayer
O Dayspring, Morning Star,
today is the shortest day and tonight the longest night.
Come into the darkness, in the world and in me.
Shine on everyone sitting in the shadow tonight:
the grieving, the lonely, the sick, the afraid.
From tomorrow the days get longer.
Let my hope grow with them, until you come.
Amen.
A Prayer to St Peter Canisius
Peter Canisius was a sixteenth-century Dutch Jesuit who travelled all over German-speaking Europe and wrote catechisms that taught the faith to generations of children. He is a Doctor of the Church.
St Peter Canisius, you taught the faith simply and patiently.
Pray for parents, catechists and teachers,
that we may hand on the faith clearly and with love.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- At sunset on 21 December.
- When lighting the fourth Advent candle.
- For anyone for whom the dark days of winter are hard.
- At Evening Prayer (Vespers), when the O Antiphon is sung.
Scripture Connection
“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” — Malachi 4:2
These words are near the very end of the Old Testament. Christians have always read them as a promise of Christ, and on the year’s darkest day, they carry an obvious hope: the sun is about to come back.
Related prayers
For light in darkness, see the Prayer for Light and the Saint Lucy Prayer. For the month, the December Prayer Guide.