65. LORD Jesus Christ, eternal, true Light, Who banishest the darkness of the night and the shadow of death, I will praise Thy name and render thanks unto Thee for Thy protection during the past night and for bringing me unto the light of this day. Thou hast preserved my body, Thou hast surrounded my soul like a shield, and like a shepherd Thou hast defended me and all that is mine. For all this let Thy mighty and beneficent Name be magnified. I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defence and my refuge, my help and my God in whom I put my trust. Thou gladdenest my heart and makest my countenance to rejoice. I beseech Thee, let Thy mercy arise and go forth this day like the morning light, and descend upon me like the spring rains. Enlighten my blinded nature—my dark heart—with Thy glory, and arise upon my soul, O Thou true Light that lightest man unto eternal life. Have mercy upon me, O God, for upon Thee do I wait. My soul waiteth for Thee more than they that watch for the morning. Be Thou my strong arm early and my salvation in the hour of tribulation. Shield my body and my soul that no evil come nigh unto me and no pestilence unto my habitation. Banish all evil spirits from me, sustain me against the godless, be nigh unto me against all evildoers, and save me that the hand of the enemy may not touch me. O Lord God, establish Thou the works of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou. Strengthen our hands, defend our souls that we sin not against Thee. All this, we beseech Thee, grant us for the sake of Thy mercy which abideth forever. (Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, Psalm 121, and the Gloria Patri.) (Pages 102-104)
Picture: Advent Candle One