The Light came down

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
- Isaiah 9:2

These words were written by the prophet Isaiah approximately 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Who is this Light? Why were the people walking in darkness, and what does this darkness signify?

Darkness represents an inability to see. Those who walk during the day can see their path; however, at night, without light, one can only stumble blindly. The Scriptures declare that “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Regarding believers, it says: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Ephesians 5:8–9).

Every human, apart from Christ, is dead in their sins and in rebellion against a holy and just God. Each of us, at one time or another, has said “no” to what God has commanded. In His gentleness, God does not force us to believe in Him. If we rebel, He allows us to taste the fruit of our actions—the consequences of our choices. We chose to walk down a wide road: a dark path through a dense forest where light is so scarce that we cannot see where we are going.

But the Scriptures also declare that God is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4) and desires that no one should perish, but that “all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Just as the light of the sun enables plants to grow and its gravity keeps our Earth in orbit, the light of the Son of God enables us to grow, and His presence keeps us alive.

The Light of the World

“Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” He is the Light of the World. If anyone follows Him, they will have the light of life and will not stumble into a fall, but will grow and live for the glory of His name. This is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—manifested to us in the God-man, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

"He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory." — 1 Timothy 3:16

He was born in a manger, humbling Himself from His eternal throne to enter the world He created—a world we marred through rebellion and ingratitude. He bore our sin and shame, dying on a cross made of wood that He himself created. He descended into the realm of death, bearing the punishment for our transgressions.

The brightest Light entered the deepest darkness.

From the highest of heights,
He humbled Himself
To the lowest of depths,
He made Himself known

In the deep, silent darkness,
A bright, shining Light
In the pain and the sorrow,
He revealed His heart

A Love Beyond Measure

Why would a King die for sinners? Why would the God of Creation shed His blood for me? I did not make myself, nor have I given Him anything that He should repay me. What motivated my Lord to give His life for me?

Love. It was only love—not an earthly love, but a heavenly love that is higher than the heavens. It is the love of the eternal God made flesh: the Great I AM.

"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised." — Song of Solomon 8:6–7

An Invitation

This Christmas, if you do not know this love, call to Him from your darkness. Cry to Him from your deepest despair. He will make His love known to you, for His Word is perfect and unchanging: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

So call on Him. He wants to guide you. He wants to lead you out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).