Life in General

Welcome the Light!

“The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

A well-loved Christmas tradition around our house is the candlelight service on Christmas Eve. In the early evening as the sun is setting, we drive down to the church seeking a parking spot in an already crowded lot. Then, we step inside the sanctuary, pick a small candle from a basket at the door, and slide into an empty or nearly empty pew. By the time the service starts, we’re scrunched against each other—-but we’re warm and anticipating what is to come.

For the next hour, the Christmas story is told in bits and pieces between the singing of carols. The final candle on the advent wreath is lit. Then comes the moment we’ve all waited for, the dimming of the lights and the singing of Silent Night as a flame passes from one person to another—-up, down and across the rows of pews until everyone in the sanctuary holds their candles high and the light flickers and waves.

Light is vital to seeing our way through the darkness. And in the Bible, it was used in various ways.

It’s a symbol of life. If God hadn’t said, “Let there be light,” (Genesis 1:3) creation would have died out in no time.

Light is a symbol of bold faith. “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Then, of course, there’s the star, pointing the Wise Men to Jesus. “We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Numerous places in the Bible refer to Jesus as the light of salvation. In Isaiah, God described the future Messiah as a “light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6), or “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:21) 

Next time you see a star, light a candle, or turn on a lamp, notice how it keeps you from tripping over things in the darkness and remember, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

This is the perfect time of year to welcome the Light into your life and make it a true Merry Christmas!

What say you? Do you know any other scriptures that refer to Jesus as the light (salvation) in a dark (sinful) world?

All scripture comes from the New International Version.

As an author of heartwarming historical and contemporary romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.

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  • rose mccauley

    Hi Sandra, as I read thru your posts, I realized I had visited before. Thanks for this post on Jesus as the Light of the World. These scriptures reminded me of a song we sang in HS. It is in the public domain, so I am copying the words for you and your readers to enjoy!

    The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
    The light of the world is Jesus;
    Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
    The light of the world is Jesus.
    Chorus
    Come to the Light, ’tis shining for thee;
    Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
    Once I was blind, but now I can see;
    The light of the world is Jesus.

    No darkness have we who in Jesus abide,
    The light of the world is Jesus.
    We walk in the light when we follow our Guide,
    The light of the world is Jesus.

    Ye dwellers in darkness with sin blinded eyes,
    The light of the world is Jesus.
    Go, wash at His bidding, and light will arise,
    The light of the world is Jesus.

    No need of the sunlight in Heaven, we’re told,
    The light of the world is Jesus.
    The Lamb is the Light in the City of Gold,
    The light of the world is Jesus.

    Chorus
    Come to the Light, ’tis shining for thee;
    Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
    Once I was blind, but now I can see;
    The light of the world is Jesus.

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