Silent Night! Holy Night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
The final verse of this world-loved Christmas hymn tells of a sublime gift. On that holy night, our Savior, Jesus Christ, brought His own and His Father’s pure light into a troubled, chaotic world. He is its light and its life—its only hope.
On this night, love was celebrated by light in heaven and on earth. A new star lit the heavens—seen by wise men continents away—who had been watching for it. Shepherds outside Bethlehem stared in amazement at light from the glory of angels singing in joy.
The night was not silent. But later, deep in comforting darkness, light remained as the holy silence drifted in. Because of His pure light, love, and sacrifice, those who love and follow Jesus Christ can “Sleep in heavenly peace.”
Light of Creation
God the Father planned a mortal experience for His spirit children. His son Jesus Christ was to be the light and the life of this world, because He created, endowed, and loved it. As its light, He has been its redeemer and Spirit of truth. 1
We came, as stated by Timothy J. Dyches,
We departed from the glorious light of heaven and descended through a veil of forgetfulness to a darkened world. Our Heavenly Father did not abandon us to darkness but promised us light for our journey through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. 2
Neal L. Anderson expressed, “Like [His] guiding star in a clear, dark sky, Jesus Christ lights our way.” 3
Light to Heal
When Jesus lived in Capernaum, scripture recorded, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Among myriad blessings, He brought His pure light of healing.
Bringing light into the eyes of a blind man, Jesus proclaimed, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). He allowed many with leprosy to see the light of a future they thought had been lost to them. Those with crippling conditions, who had crept in shadows on the road or huddled behind crowds, He healed to walk among the able.
Healing extends beyond illness or disability. Speaking to a temple crowd, Jesus was interrupted by men dragging a woman caught in adultery. After shaming her accusers into putting down their stones, He returned to his listeners. With timing perhaps significant, He taught, “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). Joseph Smith’s translation adds that the repentant woman followed the Savior faithfully for the rest of her life. His light became her light.
Pure light purifies. John was later to write, “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light . . . the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:17). Jesus warned a group of unbelievers, “Walk while ye have the light . . . believe in the light” (John 12:35-36).
Light to Transform
The great confirming testimony of His Father’s pure light and love came as Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountaintop, to be transfigured before them. “His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” As Jesus talked with Moses and Elias, “a bright cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud [a voice] proclaimed, “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Humanity’s conditions and needs seem highly different today, when workers sit behind computers instead of sheep. But Kim B. Clark mentioned unchanged needs and blessings of the Savior’s life and light.
We get distracted or discouraged. We stumble. But if we look to Jesus Christ with a repentant heart, He will lift us up, cleanse us from sin, forgive us, and heal our hearts . . . His redeeming love never ends and never fails . . . the life and the light, the Spirit and the power.
He added, “When divine light and power flow into our lives . . . miraculous things happen.”4
The Holy Ghost, “the convincing power of God,” noted by Timothy J. Dyches, lights us during mortality. As “a light within you,” it teaches and confirms truth, warns of risk or danger, and offers comfort—cleansing your soul and bringing peace. This light helps you make choices that will keep it with you.5
Pure Light with Effort
To increase the pure light Christ provides and build its power continually as the mainstay in our lives requires effort. President Nelson insisted, “the Lord loves effort.”6 Effort includes what Dieter F. Uchtdorf called “an act of faith.” He advised, “Plead with [God] in Christ’s name . . . that your ears may be opened” to hear Him, “that your eyes may be opened” to see divine pure light. As we increase our love for God and our neighbors, “as we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.”7
An individual bursting with effort today is Sharon Eubank, director of worldwide Latter-day Saint Charities. She explained, “As you walk toward the hope of God’s light, you will discover the compassion, love, and goodness of a loving Heavenly Father in [whom there] is no darkness.”
Continually traveling to bring light of hope—even for survival—to suffering people throughout the world, she knows about darkness. But if we keep our covenants, “the darkness cannot put out the light. Ever. You can trust that His light will be there for you.”8
The light-filled final verse of ” Silent Night” returns love’s pure light to the manger.
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth;
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.
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