Second Sunday of Advent: Celebrating Jesus, the Light of the World

The Verse of the Day for December 4, 2022, provides another metaphor Jesus uses to describe himself occurring in John 8:12 in the New Living Testament:

[Jesus, the Light of the World] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

A number of biblical references speak of Jesus Christ in terms of light. The first chapter of John opens with this reference to light:

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1:6-9)

One of the remarkable aspects of light is that light dispels darkness. If the smallest candle can dispel or penetrate the depths of darkness, how much greater is the light provided by “the light of the world.” Concerning the coming Messiah, it was prophesied that “those who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” Indeed, those who follow Jesus will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

Today, November 4, 2022, is the second Sunday of Advent, the season celebrating the Earthly birth of Jesus Christ, as well as preparation and anticipation of the second coming of Christ. During this time of year, I think of the following poem, an original psalm, dedicated to a group of missionaries who were sent to local areas to carry the light and introduce Jesus Christ:

Light of the World

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on

 a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp,

 and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand;

 and it gives light to all who are in the house.

 Let your light so shine before men, that they

 may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”        

Matthew 5:14-16

A call comes ringing. . .     

The light that from creation split the dark

still shines today.  The same sun that once graced

Eden’s green place still warms the earth each day.

Without the light, there is no life, no hope

For growth, no power to live and give birth.

Without the light, there is only the night

To swallow the land and smother all life.

Somewhere someone sits in darkness, crying. . .

Send the light. . .

The love of Christ constrains us to go forth,

To shine as beacons and carry the love,

To offer shelter from stormy places,

To light the path of everyone who longs

To be at home in God’s family room.

 Send the light. . .

With torch held high, let us stand upon the Rock:

a lantern, a lampstand, a beacon, a lighthouse,

a city set on a hill that cannot be hid

Let it shine. . .

Though the darkness thickens, let our lights shine.

Let us speak God’s Word and echo God’s voice that

First spoke light into being, commanding it to shine

So let it shine. . .

So let it shine. . .

So let it shine. . .

forever more.

The lyrics to the familiar gospel song sung so often during this time of the year also come to mind: “Jesus, the Light of the World.”

Isaac Cates and Ordained offer a moving rendition of this classic gospel number featuring Margaret Rainey and Kami Woodard to close out the second Sunday in Advent.

Light of the world

In the Gospel of John, Jesus, our Savior, uses a series of metaphors to describe himself. The Verse of the Day for December 4, 2017 provides one of those direct comparisons which begin with “I am. . .” occurring in John 8:12 (KJV):

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The New Living Testament puts it this way:

[Jesus, the Light of the World] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

A number of other biblical references also speak of Jesus Christ in terms of light. The first chapter of John opens with this reference to light:

John 1:6-9 (NKJV):

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

One of the remarkable aspects of light is that light dispels darkness. If the smallest candle can dispel or penetrate the depths of darkness, how much greater is the light provided by “the light of the world.” Concerning the coming Messiah, it was prophesied that “those who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” Indeed, those who follow Jesus will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

As the season approaches celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the lyrics to the familiar gospel song sung so often during this time of the year come to mind: Jesus, the Light of the World”:

Jesus, the Light of the World

We’ll walk in the Light, beautiful Light.
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the Light of the world

Hark! The herald angels sing;
Jesus, the Light of the world.
“Glory to the newborn King;’
Jesus, the Light of the world.

Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Jesus, the Light of the world.
Join the triumph of the skies;
Jesus, the Light of the world.

Christ, by highest heav’n adored;
Jesus, the Light of the world.
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Jesus, the Light of the world.

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Jesus, the Light of the world.
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Jesus, the Light of the world.

Matt Redman offers a contemporary worship song entitled “Light of the World”

The photo is of Cabo de Palos or Cape Palos, a cape in the Spanish municipality of Cartagena, in the region of Murcia.  The lighthouse which began operating in 1865 illustrates the power of light to overcome the darkness of night.

Walking in the light

John 3:20-21, the Verse of the Day for September 29, 2015, speaks of those who prefer to walk in darkness rather than to walk in the light. To understand more fully those whom the passage refers to, we add verse 19 to the selected verses for today.

John 3:19-21 [Amplified Bible]

^{19 This is the judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the [c]darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.} 

^{20 For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned.} 

^{21 But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him].”}

Regarding darkness and light, 1 John 1:5 offers this reminder:               

“God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.”

1 John 1:5 tells us:

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Wherever you find darkness you do not find God. Believers are, thus, encouraged to walk in the light in 1 John 1:7 where the Amplified Bible renders the verse this way:

But if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

The exhortation to walk in the light is the inspiration, in part, for the following:

Walk in the Light

Walk in the light, the beautiful light.

Come where the dew drops of mercy shine bright,

Shine all around us by day and by night—

Jesus, the Light of the World.

Traditional Gospel Song

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me

shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12 (NKJV)

We begin when we come to Him who alone is the Light

And repent, following a new path immediately.

We will forsake the world and leave behind the chains of night

And consecrate ourselves to God, set apart wholly

To worship the Lord freely with clean hands and a pure heart,

Formed for His glory, as we develop a strong prayer life.

The Word of God rooted within us will never depart.

We will study the Word of Truth, the lamp that lights our way:

No longer blind but with enlightened eyes we now can see.

We vow to be a voice for God and stand out from the crowd.

We are true servants of the Light, despite the endless strife.

We will make a joyful noise and sing His praises out loud.

Looking in the mirror of the Word, we see God’s design.

Now is the time to arise and let our light so shine

We close with Bill and Gloria Gaither presenting the African Children’s Choir singing a medley “Walking in the Light”:

Jesus, the light of the world

John 8:12 NLT

The Verse of the Day for December 4, 2014 provides a second metaphor Jesus uses to describe himself occurring in John 8:12 in the New Living Testament:

[Jesus, the Light of the World] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

A number of biblical references speak of Jesus Christ in terms of light. The first chapter of John opens with this reference to light:

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1:6-9)

One of the remarkable aspects of light is that light dispels darkness. If the smallest candle can dispel or penetrate the depths of darkness, how much greater is the light provided by “the light of the world.” Concerning the coming Messiah, it was prophesied that “those who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” Indeed, those who follow Jesus will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

As the season approaches celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the lyrics to the familiar gospel song sung so often during this time of the year come to mind: Jesus, the Light of the World”:

Jesus, the Light of the World

We’ll walk in the Light, beautiful Light.
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the Light of the world

Verse 1	Hark! The herald angels sing; Jesus, the Light of the world. “Glory to the newborn King;’ Jesus, the Light of the world.
Verse 2	Joyful, all ye nations rise, Jesus, the Light of the world. Join the triumph of the skies; Jesus, the Light of the world.
Verse 3	Christ, by highest heav’n adored; Jesus, the Light of the world. Christ the everlasting Lord; Jesus, the Light of the world.
Verse 4	Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Jesus, the Light of the world. Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Jesus, the Light of the world.

Bill and Gloria Gaither offer a moving rendition of this classic gospel number featuring Jessy Dixon and Guy Penrod.