O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those
who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
When Thou, O Sun of righteousness, arisest,
thus diffusing the uncreated light,
You pierce through all darkness
and everywhere comes life, true life.
There is nothing that can dim Your light;
no shadow can darken You (Mal 3:20).
When You penetrate hearts
evil thoughts are dispelled;
the shadows of the night have to recede
and flee from Your face…
Before You, O Sun of righteousness
nothing can withstand that does not bow lovingly before Thy gentle dominion.
Thou descendest into the deepest abyss of the soul,
and loose the chains of guilt.
But Thou art not only the light;
but Thou makest Thine own to be light (Mt 5:14),
so that they may go in search of those
who have not yet heard of You,
those who have forgotten You;
and you even want to enlighten and save
those who have turned their backs on You.
You have also conquered death!
In Your light, it becomes the passage to eternal life (2 Tim 1:10).
Thus the shadows of death fade away
and the radiant splendour of the heavenly Jerusalem attracts us.
Death, where is your sting?
Hell, where is your victory? (1 Cor 15:55)
This is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation! (2 Cor 6:2)
This is the time in which you call all men,
so that, together with Joseph and Mary,
worship Thee in the manger,
O Dawn and radiance of the uncreated Light.
The day draws nearer and nearer,
do you perceive it?
The light shines with increasing brightness in the midst of the darkness,
do you see it?
Your heart is kindling,
do you feel it?
The Saviour comes and enlightens all
those who live in darkness and the shadow of death (Lk 1:78).
Spread the word:
He has come for all!