Millions of brightly colored lights are used throughout our land at Christmas to decorate the homes and streets of our villages and cities. They add a festive glow to the holiday season. All the lights turned on at once cannot, however, dispel the darkness that obscures the Christmas observance of millions in the United States and Canada and throughout the world. They need a greater light.

It was so in the days of the prophet Isaiah when he wrote, “The people who walked in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” (Isaiah 9:2). It had been a time of deep darkness for Israel. Sin which had reigned in the lives of God’s people had provoked judgment as God declared, “My people shall sit in dust.” How deep that darkness was appeared as the people were taken captive and led away to a foreign land far from the center of the worship of God. Despair was prevalent, weeping was common and death seemed the only avenue of escape from the darkness that enshrouded the people.

Then came the announcement of a light. The people who were living in such great darkness were going to see a light, a great light. The people who were living under judgment were going to experience deliverance. The grace of God was going to break forth. His favor was going to be known again. The people walking in darkness were going to know salvation.

The light promised so long ago to a people in captivity, the salvation announced to a people living under judgment was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who came that first Christmas as the promised Light. Righteous Simeon taking the infant Jesus into his arms declared, “A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32). The Gospel writer describing the time in which Jesus lived appealed to the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The people who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned” (Matt. 4:16). Jesus Himself said, “I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

The coming of the promised Light was to have far reaching effects. John Calvin expressed it beautifully as he wrote: “As the mornings tar begins the day in one quarter only of heaven, and immediately the sun enlightens the whole world, so the daybreak was first in Judea, from which the light arose and was afterwards diffused throughout the whole world; for there is no corner of the earth which the Lord has not enlightened by this light.”

When Isaiah prophesied the coming of the light the people were under judgment because they had forgotten God and were living apart from Him. When Jesus came announcing Himself as the light it was a time of darkness deepened by religious leaders who were blind leaders of the blind. As we celebrate Christmas this year we do so at a time of great darkness. Although almost twenty centuries have passed since the coming of the promised Light there are still three billion people who live in ignorance of that Light. Only three per cent of the six hundred twenty million people in India are Christian. That means that over six hundred million people in this one nation alone are living in the darkness. Less than one per cent of the population of Japan is Christian. That means over one hundred million people living without the Light. Tens of millions will celebrate Christmas on our North American Continent without a knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Light of Christmas. All this confronts us with a grave responsibility.

Jesus Christ whose coming was announced as the appearance of a Light in a dark world and Who came proclaiming Himself as the Light said: “You are the light of the world.” And then He added words which we dare not ignore today, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peckmeasure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:14–16).

The prophet had predicted that the people who walked in darkness would actually see this great light. That promise was fulfilled at the birth of Jesus when some saw the great light. Some humble shepherds watching their flocks by night saw it. Also some wise· men in the East watching the stars at night, saw it. To these two groups of men, extreme opposites, hav· ing little in common except their need for deliverance from darkness the announcement of the Light came. And they both went to Bethlehem to see the light of salvation. And then we read of the shepherds that they returned “glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen.” Having seen the Light they went out to serve as lights in a world of great darkness.

The story is told of a little child who stood in a great cathedral on a summer morning. As the sun· light streamed through the beautiful stained-glass windows the figures in them of the servants of God shone with brilliant color. A little later the question was asked, “What is a saint?” The child replied, “A saint is a person who lets the light shine through.” The promised Light has come and we have seen His glory and experienced His saving power. Now the Light must shine out through us as we live in obedience unto Him who has delivered us from darkness.

This is the challenge which confronts us also in the Christmas season. Recently I read about a blind husband-wife team in India who have come to know the Light. They were formerly professional beggars, he a drum player, she an accordionist. Together they performed and begged. Now they still give concerts, but not to beg. At the conclusion of each concert the blind drum player says, “We have not come to beg but to give you something. We are blind and cannot read. But you can see. Please take a Bible course. Complete it and return it to our center where it will be corrected. You will receive a diploma and you can purchase a graduation New Testament for one rupee (13¢).” The response of the stunned crowd who were expecting to be asked for a handout is overwhelming. This couple in their physical blindness have found a way to serve as spiritual lights in obedience to their Lord‘s command.

How many are the opportunities given to us to show the light. May our Christmas be blessed and may we be a blessing to those living in darkness as we who have seen the great Light go out to serve as lights.

I heard the voice of Jesus say: I am this dark world’s light; Look unto me; thy mom shall rise; And all thy day be bright. I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that light of life I’ll walk Till traveling clays are done.