By Peter Leithart
Father, You are light, and You dwell in the unapproachable, eternal light of Your Son and Spirit. In You is no darkness or shifting shadow.
On the first day, You made light shine in the midst of darkness, and at the last Day You will dispel all darkness and shine as the light of Your people unto ages of ages.
When Jacob was oppressed by his kinsman Laban, you brought him out from the darkness of night and led him to the land.
When Israel suffered in slavery, You sent Your angel to judge Egypt and lead Your people through the wilderness in a pillar of fire.
When Haman sought to destroy the Jews, You made him stumble in darkness and fall into the pit he dug, and raised Esther as a light to your people.
And when your people were sitting in darkness, You brought a great light; upon those who sat in the shadow of death, upon them a light dawned, the light of Jesus, who is the light to the Gentiles.
You sent light into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. You sent light into the world, and the darkness could not overcome it.
Because you are light, even the night shall be light about us. The darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day. Darkness and the light are both alike to You.
Shine Your light on us, as we gather in the light of Your Spirit to rejoice in the coming of Incarnate Light.
We pray in the Name of Jesus, the light of the world, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, ever one God, unto ages of ages.
Amen.
