The NT word translated “dayspring” is most often translated “east”. In the ancient world everything was oriented toward the east. The rising of the sun reaffirmed it every day. Even Christian graves are oriented toward the east. The English word “orient” comes from Latin which means “east”. Jesus is our Dayspring and Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2); He is our East. We are to orient our lives around Him. He is the orientation which keeps us from getting lost. Orienting our lives around Him gives us location and direction. To fail to be oriented around true East is to be disoriented, confused and lost without the Guide.
“To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 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 1:77-79 (KJV)
