Rising to wait and watch for Christ, in anticipation of his coming into our world and into our hearts.  Also a time to let the words, images, and emotions of the chanted psalms lead us into a deeper communion with God.  Still ‘hidden’ with Christ in darkness, silence, and solitude, we rest in God and prepare to rise with Christ at morning.

Sunrise. From Latin Laudate or “Praise ye.” From ancient times people of faith have prayed at the hours of sunrise and sunset. Deuteronomy instructs that we are to pray when we rise and lie down. Lauds is best prayed at the hour of sunrise. It is the hour of praise and thanksgiving because, “The Lord’s steadfast love and mercy never cease; sure as the sunrise and fresh as the
morning.” [Lamentations] The dawn serves to remind us of the resurrection. The Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus) Luke 1:68-79 is traditionally part of this office. St. Cyprian says, “We must pray in the morning in order that our prayer may celebrate the resurrection of the Lord.”

Returning to God when the Sun of Righteousness is high in the sky.   Seeking forgiveness for the morning’s failures  and feeling God’s pleasure in one’s faithfulness. Offering prayers of forgiveness for those in need of our forgiving.   A time to cease activity and come to rest before God asking for strength for what remains ahead in the day.  Peter’s revelation at Joppa [Acts 10].  The early church (Tertullian, St. Cyprian, Hippolytus) ascribed to this hour the darkness into which the world plunged at Christ’s crucifixion - lasting until the ninth hour (None).

At sunset. At the closing ‘hinge’ of the day. It is the hour of praise and thanksgiving for the light and life given by God. This service begins our descent into the darkness of night and includes the “Service of Light” which praises God for the light of Christ which is not overcome by darkness. This is a time to reflect upon (Examen) the events of the day giving thanks to God in both consolation and desolation. This service begins with Psalm 141:2 “May my prayer rise before you as incense - the lifting of my hands as an evening sacrifice.” Thus, the use of incense is common at vespers.

“Complete.” The day, now complete, ends as it began - in worship. Familiar psalms learned by heart are recited without the aid of light or text — a subtle reminder that when one lives in the life of Christ, one also lives in the light of Christ. Psalms memorized and sung from the heart bear witness to the conviction that when in God’s presence darkness is as light. Indeed, the darkness is not a terror to be feared — but rather a return to the mystery of God — ineffably sublime. Sleep becomes a dress rehearsal for death, a daily preparation for the time when our entering into darkness is our entering into the never ending light of the “eighth day.” Canticles or prayers are sung asking for a “restful night and a peaceful death.” The service often concludes with a hymn of God’s clemency and the remembrance of baptism as the worshippers quietly retire to sleep. As the ancient prayer says it, “May we, in our sleep, enter into that deeper communion with you who restores unto health.”

Here you will find a few suggestions for daily devotion and or discipline of formation.