Daily Devotional
A Great Light

December 7, 2019

Today’s Reading

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. ISAIAH 9:2

A Great Light

If there is one truth that leaps out at us from the pages of Scripture at Christmas, it is that Jesus came to be the Light of the world! Light came into this dark world when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The prophet Isaiah calls Jesus “a great light” Who has shined on those who “walked in darkness” (Isaiah 9:2). The prophet is referring to spiritual darkness, which also is very great. But the darkness was no match for the light of God’s Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, also anticipated the coming of the Savior. In his great song of praise, he prophesied that Jesus would “give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). 

Another man of God by the name of Simeon pointed to the Light. As Joseph and Mary came to the temple to dedicate the infant Jesus, Simeon took the baby to bless Him. God revealed to Simeon the identity of the Child, and he rejoiced that God had sent “a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). 

No matter where you turn in God’s Word, you will find that Christmas is about light! We love to sing the Christmas carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” But this great hymn is not about the night or about darkness. It’s about the Light. The third stanza of “Silent Night” says, “Son of God, / love’s pure light / Radiant beams from Thy holy face, / With the dawn of redeeming grace.” 

We sing another Christmas carol, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The last stanza invites us to “Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! / Hail the Son of righteousness! / Light and life to all He brings, / Risen with healing in His wings.” We sing at Christmas because we have something to sing about! Light has come into the world, and we don’t ever need to walk in darkness again!

Activity

Give each family member an unlit candle or tealight (or a flashlight or glow stick for younger children). Light your candle and then turn out the lights. Begin reading John 1:1–9. Each time you read the word light, stop and use your candle to light another (or have the small children turn on their flashlights or crack a glow stick) until everyone’s candle is lit. Finish reading the text, then pray, thanking God for sending Jesus to be our light at Christmas.

Take advantage of the related activities and resources at ExperienceChristmas.org.