Dayspring
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79 KJV
Most of us don't see the sunrise unless we work the night shift, milk cows, or go for an early-morning run. One of my favorite hikes is on the Rattlesnake Trail at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC. The best time to hike it is at sunrise. To do that, you have to get up in the dark and hike most of the trail with a flashlight. But once you reach the top and see that sunrise, it is incredible. One of Danette’s and my favorite vacation activities is getting up early to see the sunrise. A sunrise over the clear blue ocean is pretty spectacular, too.
What is it about a sunrise? It changes everything! It brings a new day, light to the dark, unspeakable beauty across the sky, and warmth to the cool of the night. No wonder sunrise is many people’s favorite time of the day. A new day brings a clean slate, a fresh start, renewed strength, and new promise, opportunities, and possibility.
Dayspring may not be a word you have heard before. It is an old-timey word that simply means dawn, daybreak, or the first appearance of morning light. In Luke 1, the Jewish priest Zechariah received a message from an angel that he and his barren wife, Elizabeth, would have a son (John the Baptist) who would be the forerunner to Jesus. This meant that the full sunrise of God’s plan was about to dawn. Zechariah referred to Jesus as Dayspring, a reference to God’s promise of a Messiah, as prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 9:2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Jesus coming to earth as the perfect Son of God brought a new day, like the rising sun. People were no longer under the old covenant, where we were bound by the Law (the Ten Commandments and over 600 rules) that required animal sacrifice to atone for sin. Jesus came as the New Covenant. He was the Promised Messiah who became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He changed everything! He came to bring new life, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The cross broke the power of the old lifestyle, so believers are no longer slaves to sin.
Just as the morning sun sheds light on the dark of night, Jesus became the divine light breaking into spiritual darkness. Before the sun rises, the darkness can be overwhelming. But when the light comes, we can see clearly and begin to move forward. Jesus brought good news of grace where there was guilt and shame, hope where there was only despair, and understanding where confusion had been. In John 12:46, Jesus says, “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.”
When the sun rises, its heat warms the cool of the night. When Jesus came, He brought a new way of life. He was warm, compassionate, and humble. He loved people, and He spent time with them, called them by name, and healed their sicknesses. He was a servant. John 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
We don't have to remain lost in the darkness of sin, struggle, uncertainty, or confusion, or try to find our own way. Jesus came to rescue and guide us. No matter how dark life may seem, His light shines, reminding us of God's love and the promise of new life through Him.
The sunrise doesn't mean the night never happened; it means the darkness doesn't have the final word. Jesus, our Dayspring, brings the hope of salvation, the light of God's truth, and the promise that we can walk forward with Him even when we cannot see the whole path ahead.
Call to Action
Where do you need Jesus, the Dayspring, to bring light, hope, or direction into your life today?
Why do you sometimes prefer familiar patterns over trusting Jesus for new opportunities and direction?
What is the difference between knowing Jesus is the Dayspring and letting His light guide your daily decisions?
How can you reflect Jesus' light to someone who is struggling, discouraged, or searching for hope?
Digging Deeper
Read these additional verses: Isaiah 60:1-2, Lamentations 3:22–23, Matthew 5:14-16, John 1:5, Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:9–10, Ephesians 4:22–24, 1 Peter 5:5-6
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being my Dayspring and bringing light into the darkness. When I feel lost, discouraged, or uncertain, help me look to You for hope and direction. Guide my steps in Your truth and lead me in Your peace.
Copyright © 2026 Kyle Cravens