As my bible study has been reading John this fall, the theme of light has continued to jump out at me- and has led to what a dear friend calls a "holy echo" moment, that has occurred all throughout the advent season.
The first recorded words that God speaks: "Let there be light." And there has been light ever since. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. The Israelites are led by light in the form of a pillar of fire at night. We read prophecies about seeing light to come in the famously quoted Isaiah 9. In John, we read about light that "shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].” (JOHN 1:5 AMP). I've been listening to Lauren Daigle's song "light of the word" literally on repeat this month (sorry, roommate!) because it's a reminder to me of how powerful light is. I guess the older I get, I realize more and more what darkness is. I understand what it does to people, to our world, to our hearts. Growing up we always went to Christmas Eve service in our little white country church, nestled among a row of trees and a small creek. We'd crest over a small hill and there was the church - lit up by candles, stained glass projected onto the untouched snow below, so beautiful. And every year we'd end the service with the lights off, church aglow with candles held by the congregation, and sing Silent Night. This year, as I searched in the old green LBW hymnal for the familar song, the pastor talked about light, and how throughout Scripture we see the importance of light. As I held small white candle in one hand and the heavy hymnal in the other, I rejoiced in the light of the world coming to this earth- Emmanuel, God with Us- the Word that became flesh. Our hymnals only have the first three verses of Silent Night, but I had looked up the other three lesser known verses a few weeks ago. I love new contemporary songs like Lauren Daigle's light of the world, but for me, nothing will ever beat these old hymns. They are rich with promises for us as we celebrate the coming of Christ now, and anticipate his return to our dark world. 4. Silent Night, Holy Night Here at last, healing light From the heavenly kingdom sent, Abundant grace for our intent. Jesus, salvation for all. Jesus, salvation for all. 5. Silent Night! Holy Night" Sleeps the world in peace tonight. God sends his Son to earth below A Child from whom all blessings flow Jesus, embraces mankind. Jesus, embraces mankind. 6. Silent Night, Holy Night Mindful of mankind's plight The Lord in Heav'n on high decreed From earthly woes we would be freed Jesus, God's promise for peace. Jesus, God's promise for peace.
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