NATIVITY AND THEOPHANY - DAY 1
The hymnographer compares the Holy Nativity of the Son of God, incarnated for the salvation of the world, to the rising of the sun: “You shone from the Father to enlighten us, creatures. O Lord, Sun of righteousness, glory to you.” (Օրհնութիւն Շարական Սուրբ Ծննդեան, ԴԿ. – Canticle Hymn of Holy Nativity, Tone VIII.)
The reference is to the prophecy of Malachi, who about 450 years before Christ wrote: “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings” (Mal. 4:2).
Truly, our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect light that shines in the thick darkness of sin and death. In our sinful world darkness seems to be everywhere, but wherever the light of the presence of Jesus Christ shines, darkness disappears totally.
The Sun of Righteousness has risen today and gives light to human life and warms pious souls. Jesus Christ became man and came into the world to spread light and truth among human beings who sit in darkness, to bring justice to the poor and the oppressed, to heal the sick and the brokenhearted, and to grant freedom to the captives.
Since the day of Christ’s birth, the Sun of Righteousness shines over the whole world with the same life-giving light. And the Light never changes, never alters, because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). So, let us pray together and with the hymnographer praise the Only-begotten Son of God, with gratitude in our hearts proclaim, “O Lord, Sun of righteousness, glory to you.”
The Canticle Hymn of Nativity, Tone VIII.
You shone from the Father to enlighten the creatures;
O Lord, Sun of righteousness, glory to you.
You were born in the grotto, Bethlehem received the gift;
O Lord, Sun of righteousness, glory to you.
You appeared to the shepherds, worshipped by the Magi;
O Lord, Sun of righteousness, glory to you.
And now, we also sing to you, born of the Virgin;
O Lord, Sun of righteousness, glory to you.
