Ponder Jesus’ coming this Christmas based on stanzas from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Week three’s devotion focuses on the third stanza.
Dayspring from on high
Christmas is coming! Will it be a day that brings lasting joy or merely a brief respite from the sorrows and cares of life? If Christmas remains merely about presents and parties, the joy we experience will fade away quickly. Parties end, and presents wear out. A celebration that focuses on these trappings alone provides little relief from the challenges we face each day.
The “Dayspring from on high” (Luke 1:78 KJV; “rising sun” NIV) is coming! His birth signals the dawn of a new day. As the Son of God enters this world as one of us, he provides much more than a short pause from the sorrows and concerns of daily life. The Dayspring from on high warms our hearts with his healing presence and forgiving love. Though we face trials and heartaches, we can still rejoice, for we have a Savior to whom we can turn in every need. As we look ahead to a future that appears uncertain, the Dayspring from on high shines his light on our path as he guides us through his Word. Just as the sun rises anew each morning, so God’s Son remains with us. His light will never dim or fade away.
The Dayspring from on high is coming! We no longer need to fear the dark shadow that death casts on our life. Death’s shadow often looms large. We feel pain and heartache as we miss dear friends and family members who have breathed their last on this earth. We may fear what we will experience as we near our end, but a new day has dawned! God’s Son, who was born in Bethlehem, would leave his tomb outside Jerusalem empty. The Son is risen! He has dispersed the clouds and sha-dows of death for all who believe.
Christmas is coming! A new day has dawned! We bask in the warmth and walk in the light of God’s one and only Son, our Savior. The clouds of sorrow and death have been put to flight forever.
The Dayspring from on high has come! Rejoice, for in him we will never have to face the darkness again.
O come, O Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by your drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel!
(Christian Worship 327:3)
PRAYER: O come, O Dayspring from on high, as you shine upon us in good times and in bad ones. Warm our hearts with your forgiveness and love. Guide us on our path through life with the light of your life-giving Word. We rejoice as we walk in your light today and look forward to living in your light for all eternity. Amen.
HYMN: Sing along to the third verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” with Laudate Dominum.
Visit forwardinchrist.net/advent-2025 for devotions on the other verses.
Author: Paul Tessmer
Volume: 112, Number 12
Issue: December 2025
Illustrations: Corissa Nelson
