24 December 2022

A Christmas message from the General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle

International Headquarters

A photo of General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle wearing Salvation Army uniform

A Christmas reflection and video message from our international leaders.

Light of the World

by General Brian Peddle

When I consider the star that was a significant part of the first Christmas story, I’m reminded that scientists view the stars in the sky very differently than I do. For instance, they use light years to measure the distance of the stars from us on Earth. A light year is the distance light travels in one Earth year, so about 5.88 trillion miles (or 9.46 trillion kilometres).

The sun is our closest star and is some 93 million miles away. So, the sun’s light takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach us, meaning we see the sun as it was more than 8 minutes ago. The next closest star to us – Alpha Centauri – is some 4.3 light years away, so when we view this star today, we see it as it was 4.3 years ago. It’s as if we are looking back in time.

This means that the Magi written about in Matthew 2:1 and 2 would have seen a star whose light was beaming before they could even see it. And yet, God used that star to lead them to Jesus: ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him’ (Matthew 2:2 New Living Translation).

Jesus came to be the Light of the World. He came to shine his light in darkness – our darkness, the darkness of this world. We read in Isaiah 9:2: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ This was prophesied long before Jesus was born.

His purpose in coming was to be with us, but he has been, and always will be, with us.

Are we talking about light years when it comes to Jesus? No, I don’t think so, because the Bible tells us he is the Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end. He is as much a bright light today as he was at the beginning of time, or when he came to the Earth to take up residence and ‘move into the neighbourhood’ (John 1:14 The Message).

Jesus is not constrained by time. He is the ‘light of the world’ (John 8:12) and shines light into the darkest places of our troubled world, bringing change. The Light has come! There are no light years that can separate us from this Light. He is here, he knows us, and we can walk and talk with him now. His purpose in coming was to be with us, but he has been, and always will be, with us.

If you are seeking change, seek Jesus. If you are living in a dark place in life, seek him who is the Light of the World.

If you do not know him already, you too can know this Light of the World. His name is Jesus, and he came to the world to bring about transformation. If you are seeking change, seek Jesus. If you are living in a dark place in life, seek him who is the Light of the World.

For those who already know Jesus, he reminds us that we are light in the world. In Matthew 5:14 (MSG) we read: ‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.’

May you be a source of light in your corner of the world this Christmas, as you bring the Light of the World to others! May God richly bless you throughout this Christmas season!

Written by

General Brian Peddle

General Brian Peddle: At Christmas time I can’t resist reading and re-reading the prophecy of Isaiah 9. In verse 2: ‘The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.’ In verse 6: ‘For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given.’

Commissioner Rosalie Peddle: The Gospels echo those words but no longer a prophecy but a fulfilled reality – the light has come. Each year we are drawn to the narrative – Bethlehem, the stable, the star and the gifts for a King.

General Brian Peddle: If you follow this story all the way through, you will know that not only did Christ bring light, he left responsibility with us to also bring light into what is often a dark world.

We identify with John the Baptist in John 1 where he says he himself was not the light, he came to witness to that light. This is totally in keeping with the Matthew version that says in 5:16: ‘Let your light shine before men.’

We recently visited Papua New Guinea and in both the Eastern Highlands and in Port Moresby, our people were singing words from the Motu language and when translated it said:

You have called me to do your work

I promise to carry the light, ever burning

By the power and might of Christ my Lord

I will carry the light.

Commissioner Rosalie Peddle: These words depict the call of God to each of us who know 'Emmanuel – God with us', to carry the good news, to carry the light.

General Brian Peddle: Sadly, our world desperately needs good news. We need release from the tyranny of war, we need hope in the midst of many forms of oppression, and we need light in the dark moments of the journey that we have.

Commissioner Rosalie Peddle: We are hopeful, that this Christmas, families, neighbourhoods, churches can gather and celebrate. We are asking you to join us in carrying the light, letting it shine revealing the Saviour who has come.

General Brian Peddle: Merry Christmas to you and all of yours! Don’t forget to carry the light.