Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

Today we consider the 6^th verse of O Come, O come, Emmanuel:

O come, O Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by your drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadow put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel will come to you,

O [Israel].

The word Dayspring evokes the closing lines of a prayer known as the Benedictus, which is sung in monasteries and convents and in the Liturgy of the Hours every morning at the end of Morning Prayer.

The Benedictus is better known as the Canticle of Zechariah, the prophecy of the father of John the Baptist when his lips were opened and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. It begins like this,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.

The canticle goes on to speak of John the Baptist and his role in preparing the people for the coming of the Lord:

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God

by which the daybreak from on high will visit us

to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.  (Luke 1:76-79)

 Can you see how the words of the Benedictus inspired today’s verse from the Advent hymn?

In all of this, I believe the key words are forgiveness, and  tender mercy. And in this, perhaps the verse (and the Benedictus) challenges us to ask for forgiveness for our sins, either through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (most especially) or in our regular daily prayer. Could you perhaps focus on some sin, temptation or weakness that calls down upon you “the gloomy clouds of night”?

It is time for that night to come to an end. Focus on the light offered through the Advent hymn, verse 6, and also in the Benedictus. Be very specific in your prayer, and gently but ruthlessly honest in your examination of conscience. And may you know the coming of the Light as you are guided by Our Lord to move you into the path of peace.

Blessed Advent to you.