Dawn (Dayspring)

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

We have seen in history the Creator and Orderer of all things, the Lord who gives instruction in Living, as the Root and Key that brings hope when enemies have prevailed over us, and now we see Him as Light.

We see two polar events in the history of the Hebrew people: the Exodus from Egypt was a definitive story of salvation into a free life. God delivered His people and offered them life as their Lord. The next story is Exile. Exile is the definitive story of judgment accompanied by immense suffering. It is a time of devastation and lament. It is a terrible experience. And that is where we find ourselves…
Darkness has overtaken the land and people of Israel. Their ancients lament what has happened to these chosen ones.

But once again, God delivers a message of hope as His people remember what Isaiah had said. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep shadows – light! Sunbursts of light!...for a child has been born - for us! the gift of a son - for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Stong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits on the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always." (Isaiah 9)