Picture the scene. You are gathered with other people at night in an underground burial vault called a catacomb. There is a center open area where you stand with other believers surrounded by recessed burial chambers. You congregate in tombs with fellow Christians to avoid detection by Roman authorities. It’s the one place people are afraid to go at night–the place may be haunted. It’s dark in this Jerusalem catacomb at night—very dark. Someone carrying a lit candle enters the room. The light has been taken from the tomb where Christ was buried. Your fellow Christians have insured a perpetual candle remains lit in Christ’s tomb to symbolize his imperishable light. His light will never again be snuffed out. The candle is your prompt to begin singing the ancient vesper song “Phos Hilaron.” The Greek words literally translate, “hilarious light.” We don’t normally think of light as hilarious, but the word equates to “gladsome” or “joyful” in today’s vernacular.
Phos Hilaron is the oldest hymn outside the Bible. Basil of Caesarea in the fourth century wrote that the hymn which he called an “ancient formula” was often sung among believers in his day. Today, as we mark the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year, we rejoice that the light of Christ will never be extinguished.
We sometimes treat prayer as a wish list of petitions to bring to God. This song, still sung in churches today, expresses thanksgiving for God’s light through Jesus Christ. We join with Jesus’ early followers in praying: