Upon Us The Light Shines

*"Behold My Servant, Whom I uphold, My elect

in Whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice and right and reveal 

truth to the nations.

I the Lord have called You, the Messiah, for a righteous

purpose and in righteousness; I will take You by the hand

and keep You; I will give You for a covenant to the people,

Israel, for a light to the nations, Gentiles.

To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out the prisoners

from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison."

Isaiah 42:1,6,7

 The Birth of Jesus Christ

James J. Tissot

(1895)

The people that in darkness walked

Have seen a wondrous light,

A light that beamed afar,

The bright and morning star,

And those that dwelt in death's dark vale

Have felt their joy increase,

Their constant theme shall be,

"All hail the Prince of Peace."

Wonderful, Counselor!

The everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace,

Wonderful, Counselor!

The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

(Refrain)

As men rejoice when they divide

The spoils which they have gained,

So shall it ever be,

When Christ shall set them free.

For He shall break the shoulder's staff,

The rod of the oppressed,

And every battle won,

As victors we shall rest.

For unto us a Child is born,

To us a Son is giv'n;

His kingdom shall increase,

And never, never, cease,

Upon the throne of David shall

He reign forevermore,

Till ev'ry knee shall bow

And ev'ry heart adore.

Head of Christ

 Rembrandt van Rijn

(1648-1656)

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Philadelphia Pennsylvania

*The above biblical passages spoken by God through the prophet Isaiah are the

first concerning the future coming of the great "Servant of the Lord".

Over the centuries, many scholars have grappled with the

question, "Who is the Servant of the Lord?"

Some believed that "the Servant" is Israel. Others, more in

keeping with the prophecies as a revelation of the forthcoming Messiah,

believe the Servant can only be Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the One Who came

to establish God's kingdom on earth, hence the words spoken by the prophet:

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who 

dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death,

upon them the Light has shined."

Isaiah 9:2

"The People That In Darkness Walked"

Words by Grant C. Tullar

(1900)

Music by Issac H. Meredith