The Light Shines in the Darkness…
One of my favorite Christmas carols is The Coventry Carol. It is haunting and strangely beautiful, set in a minor key as many of the old songs are. Originating in the 16th century, the song is based on the episode in Matthew 2 recalling Herod’s slaughter of the children. The song is a lament—mothers singing a lullaby to their children, soon to be killed by the ruthless King. The Coventry Carol remembers the mother’s lamentations, “Rachel weeping for her children…” as Jeremiah had mentioned long ago (31:15).
This seems a VERY strange topic for a Christmas carol. Yet, it deals with the reality of Christ’s advent.
Traditionally, we place a lot of emphasis on Christmastime as a season of great joy, and it is. Just as the angel told the shepherds outside Bethlehem, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people” (Luke 2:10). Yet, these old, “darker” carols often reflect the unapologetic reality we see in the Scriptures themselves.
The Gospels make it clear that The Messiah’s birth was rooted in our dark, fallen World. When Luke narrates Jesus’ birth, he places glory and poverty side by side. Matthew’s account widens the frame: Herod’s terrible decree, the hurried flight of Joseph, Mary and Jesus to Egypt, the mothers in Bethlehem weeping, refusing to be comforted. This too, is part of the Christmas story. The darkness does not overshadow the glory and joy, but it is also not forgotten.
Many of our modern Christmas songs tend to lack depth, preferring a sugary sweet, tinsel and plastic sentimentality. Not so with many of our old carols. They often embrace the darkness along with the light. Think about the lyrics to O Come, O Come Immanuel or What Child is This? These songs acknowledge the darkness because it is reality. There is glory and joy, but there is also crying, pain, mourning, longing. This is why the minor key in some of our carols is not a contradiction to Christmas—it is an invitation to deeper worship.
Something else often happens in these old carols: hope appears unexpectedly. The Coventry Carol ends its minor progression in a resolution on a major chord. O Come, O Come Immanuel irrupts with “Rejoice!” in the midst of its mournful meditation. This turning, this revolution is at the very heart of the Gospel-centered story. Just when we least expect it, the LORD in all His glorious goodness arrives and intervenes. The darkness never gets the final word.
John’s Gospel states the truth clearly: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5). Our Savior entered the world exactly as it is—mourning, fractured, groaning, grieving—to bring His Light to us, The Light which no Darkness can overcome. He is the Light of the World and His light gives us hope (John 8:12).
In our own lives, we all know the weight of the darkness. Just this year, we have mourned and grieved with so many of you – the death of children, the passing of loved ones, the failing health of aging parents, severe illness…. It has been a very hard year. The world around us often demands cheerfulness at this time of year. But the Scriptures teach us that our lamentation creates a context for our rejoicing and praise to be all the sweeter. Christmas is the proclamation that Christ has come into our suffering, and He will not abandon us there. He has come to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows (Isaiah 53).
King Jesus—The Word made Flesh— has already stepped into the world’s shadows to stand with us, redeem us, and lead us to His Everlasting Kingdom where all mourning and crying and pain will be no more. This is why we adore Him and hope. We sing “Joy to the World” as we still feel the wounds the year has left. We proclaim peace on earth, yet pray for it with yearning. The larger story of Jesus’ birth teaches us to acknowledge both our sorrow and our joy honestly and humbly. The Light that entered Bethlehem still shines, undiminished and unstoppable in every place where darkness threatens to steal our hope.
So, Come, let us adore Him;
Come! Let us adore Him—Christ The Lord.
Christmas 2025
