Light of the World

Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79

Fresh off the heels of Thanksgiving I find myself hearing the sights and sounds of Christmas in my mind. As I sit here in my kitchen having finished my devotions and thinking about putting away the few things that remain from our Thanksgiving decor, it’s that time again when Christmas carols are already swirling in my head.

I love the songs of the season that for the most part have lyrics that are so rich with the meaning of Christmas. This morning however a particular song that is not classified as a “Christmas carol” was on my mind which lead me to read the passage above. This scripture in Luke has long been one of my favorite Christmas passages.

Zacharias was unable to speak for months. God closed his mouth because he doubted God’s promise to give him a son. After this long season of silence, by the hand of God he now opens his mouth in a word of prophecy for all the ages. After the birth of his son, John the baptist, God fills Zacharias with His spirit to declare the message of hope to the people of Israel.

This message would foretell the coming of the Savior of the world! What a lovely and profound truth we have in these verses about God’s purpose for humanity then, now and every generation to come. God’s unrelenting, unfathomable, and incomprehensible love came into this world in Christ our Lord!

I still find that the truth of His light coming into our darkness, and deliver us from that hopeless helpless abode of gloom and despair, still brings a joy to my heart like nothing else this side of heaven.

As far as the song that was swirling in my head, it’s a familiar Sunday morning worship tune. Here are the lyrics and I pray in them you will hear the reason for the season as I did.

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

King of all days
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came
To the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.