O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Phos Hilaron is an ancient Christian hymn originally written in New Testament Greek. The hymn is known in English as ‘Hail Gladdening Light’ or ‘O Resplendent Light’. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still being used today. The hymn is featured in the vespers of the Byzantine liturgy used by theOrthodox and Eastern Catholic traditions, as well as being included in some modern Anglican and Lutheran liturgies. (from Wikipedia)
I regularly read this ancient hymn during Evening Prayer. Like many of the canticles in the Book of Common Prayer, it ties me to the deep history of the Church and reminds me that I belong to a family that is timeless.
It has been sung by the saints of old at vespers. It has been used by Orthodox and Catholic Christians as the hymn of light, and it has been included in Protestant liturgies for evening worship.
As I proclaim the gracious light of Christ in prayer, I draw closer to the Light of the world which the darkness cannot overcome.
May you rest well this evening, may you be enveloped in the light of Christ, may you praise God with a happy voice.