December 21 is the day in which the Great O Antiphon, O Oriens, is sung. It is also the winter solstice which is the shortest or darkest day in the Northern hemisphere.

This sonnet is a reworking of a previous sonnet.

Since our morning, we have watched the sunset
In wonder and fear of what lies beyond
The horizon. What shall our life beget
When the darkness falls, breaks every bond.

O Sun of Righteousness, come from the east;
Shine in our hearts, on our darkness dawn;
Cast down the great, raise up the least
Blaze in holy brightness til sin is gone.

O Dayspring, shine! Flood our grey town in light;
Drive back death’s darkness in which lurks our fears.
Arise! Awake! Call us out of night;
Speak tender in mercy; wipe all our tears.

When the Sun with healing rise on us all,
We’ll bound in joy as a calf from her stall.

© Randall Edwards 2017