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The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. – Isaiah 9:2
Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
The first night of a camp-out is a challenge. Trying to sleep in a strange bed, for one. Then it seems the night is long. Getting settled earlier than usual sans electricity, extra tired from hiking in, we turn in before our normal sleep time…and wake up still in the dark. It is always so dark in the woods.
Then the light begins to dawn. One memory looms large. We left the tent, in darkness. The birds were waking and singing, so we knew it wouldn’t be long until sunrise. We groped our way through the tangle of small trees, with our sleeping bags wrapped around our shoulders, keeping out the cold. The brush opened at the edge of a small slope, and the Atlantic Ocean just ahead could be more heard than seen in the pre-dawn light.
Sitting on the slope, huddled together, we watched for the sunrise.
Glory! Always.
Light is a constant theme in the Word of God – from Genesis to Revelation. Christ, as creator, separated light from darkness, from the beginning of time (Genesis 1:3-4). Jesus called Himself “the light of the world”, and then he commissioned us, His followers, to be “lights to the nations” (Acts 13:47).
Years ago, I first heard the Southern Gospel song, I Have Seen the Light, but I can’t tell you when or where. One of the songwriters, Chris Machen, and his wife Diane, were the worship leaders at a conference I attended in the 90s. Maybe it was there. The great harmonies of this song have been raised by two different Gospel groups: Gold City Quartet and The Gatlin Brothers. It is also a song our home church, Indian Springs Baptist, (in Kingsport, Tennessee). used to sing and would blow the rafters off. It gives me goosebumps, every time.
Worship the God of Light with me via this powerful song. Below you will find links to the song performed by a US church, and international church and a university. So special… thank You, God.
I had been blinded; I couldn’t see –’Til the Star in Bethlehem sky opened my eyes.
(Chorus)
I have seen the Light shining in the darkness
Bursting through the shadows, delivering the dawn.
I have seen the Light Whose holy name is Jesus.
His kingdom is forever; He reigns on Heaven’s throne.
There in a manger, an innocent Baby — Who could believe He was the One?
I can believe it. I know it’s true–He changed my life. He is the Light. He is God’s Son!
We must tell the world [we must tell the world] what we’ve seen today in Bethlehem.
He’s the promised King [Hallelujah!]. We bow down and worship Him.
We will worship Christ the King!*
Hunter Street Baptist Church’s I Have Seen the Light
The Geneva International Christian Choir and Orchestra (this song starts at 1:35 min.)
Back to that camping trip now. The sunrise mesmerizes then dazzles the eyes. Finally, sunlight becomes the normal of that day. We easily make our way back to camp in the light of day. Coffee, conversation, and preparations for the day follow. Nothing obstructs because now we can see. We just take the light for granted.
In John 9, the account is given of Jesus healing a man who had been blind since birth. That man was interrogated by the religious leaders of the day because they hoped to prove he was never blind and that Jesus was a fraud.
That man, marvelously healed shut the questioning down finally with this: