Show Salt Lake Churches Offer Wide Variety of Services Sum a ft German for tote Bj fly REV ELMER C. C ADAMS IS Executive Secretary Montana Idaho and Utah Baptist t Convention The Light is still shining in the darkness for the darkness has never put it out John 1 15 5 It was many centuries ago that the prophet Isaiah wrote these revealing words The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shined So it was that the symbol of these Ulese words was fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah The shepherds among the hills of Bethlehem were sore afraid when the angel of the Ule Lord came upon them and the 4 glory of the Lord shone round about them It was a glory that bespoke the y greatness of the occasion occasion It V was a glory that dispelled the darkness of midnights midnight's hour as q the heaven borne borne anI announcement announcement an an- I of the new bornt born t 1 King ICing was given Unto you is J born bairn this day in the city of ii- ii David a Savior which is Christ ChristI I the Lord II The vet very stars of the j. j f firmament gave their witness S i 4 for we read that there came 1 J S I wise men from the cast east toA to A 4 j Jerusalem saying saying we we haveS have S I seen his star in the east and andare andS and'S andare S 'S are come to worship hi him n. n And when they departed from S Jerusalem Lo the star stood 5 over where the young child I 44 was The radiant beams of S 'S I this celestial body made a beaconed trail to the manger manger man man- ger of Bethlehem where laythe lay laythe I the babe who was to be the I gs Light of the World And once again the prophetic voice of Isaiah found a response response response re re- re- re as the bab baby Jesus was taken to the temple there to be placed in the arms of a devout servant senant of God named Simeon It was a matchless moment for this aged saint as he exclaimed Mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face the people a light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel So the advent of Christ Christis is the advent of light Have We Ve Forgotten Meaning 1 of Shinin Shining Li Light ht In the gaily lighted streets of our cities with the jeweled stars of a hundred sparkling bulbs or in the gleaming window candles of a thousand homes have we forgotten the significance of the light that in the darkness darkness even even at this Christmastide Christmas festivities in a certain Christian college include the lighting of a huge candle which is kept burning through each night of the Advent season season season-a a symbol to those who believe believe believe be be- lieve of an inner light which brings radiant joy in these festive festive festive fes fes- fes- fes tive days The spirit of Christmas is dark indeed if it fails to light anew that flame which symbolizes the indwelling Christ A A legend of the Crusades tells the story of a brave and fearless knight who set out from the city of Florence with his vow to bring back the most precious gift that he could find Fierce were the ba battles fought rich was the booty taken It was on Christmas eve however that Raniero de Raniero led his knights into the chapel of the Holy Sepulcher There barefooted barefooted barefooted bare bare- footed they marched in single file to kindle their unlighted tapers at the great torch symbolizing the Christ Knew He Had Found Most lost Precious Gift As Raniero knelt it seemed that all else faded into He Be lighted his candle and as he arose he knew that he had found the most precious gift the gift the light which he carried carried car car- ried ned in his' his hand Amidst derisive laughter he left the other knights and with a a bundle of unlighted tapers beneath his arm he set out for Florence Many harrowing experiences were his as he endeavored to shield his sacred flame At long last stripped of his knightly armor and weakened by hunger and travail he made his way down the str streets ets of his native city his taper still glowing His light all but extinguished by the jeering mob was finally taken to the great cathedral There the incredulous throng listened to his tale and believed because the outward light had become the symbol of an inner light which had transformed transformed transformed trans trans- formed his very countenance and life Darkness Never Has Put Out Light So shall the light of Christmas truly shine I Not in the myriad lights that decorate our streets and homes but in the ther r lives of those who reflect the light and spirit of the Christ of Bethlehem That light is still shining in the darkness for forthe forthe forthe the darkness has never put it out Silent night holy night Darkness flies all is light Shepherds hear the angels sing Alleluia hail the king T Christ the Savior is born Christ the Savior is born S t- t f n Silent night holy night lj 5 Guiding star lend thy light jr See the eastern wise men bring ft b Gifts and homage to our king U S. S Christ the Savior is born t Christ the Savior is born t 1 J Silent night holy night o. o 1 V Wondrous ondrous stars lend th thy light With the angels let us sing r t f. f f Alleluia to our king Christ Ghrist the Savior is born Christ the Savior is horn born 4 |