December 21: O Oriens, O Radiant Dawn

O Radiant Dawn, 
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:

Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death.

Today is the shortest day of the year (as in: hours of daylight) in the northern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice, marked by ancient agrarian cultures as a time of new birth - the moment when the sun begins again to overcome the darkness.

Have you ever woken up too early, alone with your thoughts in the darkness, and unable to go back to sleep? Has your child been frightened by the shadows from the streetlight that turn tree limbs into monster's arms? When the electricity goes out, have you banged your shin on an otherwise familiar coffee table or found a simple flight of stairs to hold new and daunting challenges? Without the light that reveals reality, fear (reasonable or otherwise) holds sway.

Many people decorate their homes this time of year with lots of lights. It's fun to drive around and look at the displays! They make us happy, and create a mood of celebration. (And deep in our DNA, perhaps it's a way to keep the long nights of winter darkness from 'winning'!)

• "I am the light of the world," says Jesus. You and your child could ask Jesus to be your light when you are feeling afraid or dark inside or really very tired.
• Don't forget to pray today's Antiphon with your child- in the words here, or by making up your own!