Graham Kendrick - We've Seen A Light Lyrics
Lyrics
We've seen a light in the darkness
Bright and clear
Suddenly all we have longed for
Feels so near
We've heard a song in the night time
Calms our fear
Beautiful love song from heaven
Can you hear?
All across the starry skies
Angels singing, praises ringing
Open up those sleepy eyes
There'll be joy in the morning
Gloria Gloria
In excelsis Deo
And on earth peace at last
Peace upon the earth
Sing for we've not been forgotten
God is near
Sing for he's opened the heavens
And leads us there
Are you ready for that day
Nearly morning, nearly morning
In your heart prepare the way
There's a new day dawning
Da da da etc
And on earth peace at last
Peace upon the earth
And on earth peace at last
Peace on earth
And on earth peace at last
Peace on earth
Video
Graham Kendrick - We've Seen A Light from Dreaming of a Holy Night.
Meaning & Inspiration
Graham Kendrick's "We've Seen A Light," released on November 12, 2007, as part of his album *Dreaming of a Holy Night*, emerges as a compelling contemporary carol, articulating the profound anticipation and ultimate fulfillment of the Advent season. The song isn't merely a festive tune; it is a theological reflection, steeped in the ancient narrative of Christ's birth and its enduring promise of peace and salvation. It draws us into the hushed reverence of that first Christmas night, portraying it not as a distant historical event, but as a living truth that continues to illuminate and transform.
The lyrical journey begins with the powerful image of "a light in the darkness, bright and clear," immediately setting a tone of hope breaking through despair. This foundational concept resonates deeply with Scripture, particularly Isaiah 9:2, which prophesies, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." This prophecy is famously fulfilled in Jesus, who declared Himself the light of the world (John 8:12), a light that darkness cannot overcome (John 1:5). The feeling of "all we have longed for feels so near" captures the yearning of humanity for redemption, a longing echoed through generations of prophets and patriarchs, now realized in the approaching dawn of Christ's arrival. This light signifies not just awareness, but the tangible presence of God in human history, dispelling spiritual blindness and fear.
Following this visual of light, the song introduces an auditory dimension: "We've heard a song in the night time, calms our fear." This points directly to the angelic announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-14, where a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, singing praises and proclaiming "peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests." The "beautiful love song from heaven" is the Gospel message itself, a divine melody that assures us of God's unconditional love and promises solace amid life's anxieties. The composition then vividly paints the celestial scene, with "angels singing, praises ringing" across "the starry skies," inviting us to "open up those sleepy eyes" and embrace the coming "joy in the morning." This awakening is both literal and spiritual, a call to shed indifference and witness the profound shift in cosmic history. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that "weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning," a metaphor beautifully applied here to the new covenant Christ inaugurates.
The heart of the song’s refrain, "Gloria Gloria, In excelsis Deo," directly translates to "Glory to God in the highest," echoing the angels' triumphant hymn from Luke 2:14. This Latin phrase anchors the piece firmly in Christian tradition, emphasizing the divine nature of the birth being celebrated. Coupled with the repeated cry "And on earth peace at last, Peace upon the earth," the song articulates the central promise of the Incarnation. Isaiah 9:6 foretells Christ as the "Prince of Peace," and His birth indeed heralds a new era where peace, though not always outwardly manifest in the world, is inwardly available through reconciliation with God and one another. This peace transcends mere absence of conflict; it is the holistic well-being and shalom that God intends for humanity.
Kendrick’s words then encourage participation: "Sing for we've not been forgotten, God is near." This powerful affirmation confronts any sense of abandonment or despair, reminding us of God's unwavering faithfulness, as expressed in Isaiah 49:15-16, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast...? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" The truth of Immanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), is central to the Christmas narrative and this song. The subsequent line, "Sing for he's opened the heavens, and leads us there," speaks to the new access we have to God through Christ. The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51) symbolized the direct path to God now available to all believers through Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19-20). The song concludes with a pressing invitation to personal readiness: "Are you ready for that day? Nearly morning, nearly morning. In your heart prepare the way, There's a new day dawning." This call to spiritual preparation mirrors John the Baptist's fervent message in the wilderness to "prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him" (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3). It transcends a singular historical event, urging an ongoing readiness for Christ's presence in our lives, His daily mercies, and His promised return. The repetitive assertion of "peace at last" serves as a lingering, hopeful benediction, affirming that the ultimate outcome of Christ’s coming is the establishment of God’s peace on earth. "We've Seen A Light" stands as a poignant reminder that the Christmas story is not just history; it is an eternal invitation to embrace the light, the song, and the peace that heaven sent.