This Christmas season, my favorite album has been Josh Garrels’ The Light Came Down. Like all of Garrels’ music, this album is harmoniously distinct and rhythmically unique. And his lyrics are just as strong. Not only are his lyrics theologically attentive, but they are relevant and modern. The combination of these skillful melodies and meaningful words create songs which cause the listener to both think and feel. I absolutely love this aspect of Josh Garrels’ music.

My favorite song on this album is “May You Find a Light.” It’s lyrics are simple, but powerful:

Lost and weary traveler,
Searching for the way to go
Stranger, heavy-hearted,
Longing for someone to know

May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light to guide you home.

There are weary travelers,
Searching everywhere you go
Strangers who are searching,
Longing deeply to be known.

As I have reflected on this song and The Light Came Down album as a whole, the word light has especially stood out to me. And we all know that the world could use a lot of light as the new year begins.

In this song, the word light is synonymous to the word hope. Garrels writes about someone who is lost, weary and searching. This individual is a stranger who is heavy-hearted and longing to know and be known. Despite the individual’s exhaustion and longing, light exists and waits for him or her. The world is full of shadows and demons, but it helps to know that darkness has been overcome by light.

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To the single mother struggling to provide for her kids: may you find light.

To those in positions of much power and responsibility: may you find light.

To the friend experiencing depression: may you find light.

To the terrified college graduate: may you find light.

To the young girl who feels like she is not enough: may you find light.

To those without a home: may you find light.

To the parents whose little girl is battling cancer: may you find light.

To the communities ridden with violence and poverty: may you find light.

To those who are unjustly discriminated against: may you find light.

To the middle schooler who feels like he doesn’t belong: may you find light.

To the friend suffering deep heartache and loss: may you find light.

To all who live in darkness, may you find a light to guide you home.

“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.” Matthew 4:16