Advent Week 4: JESUS IS THE LIGHT

I hope you’re enjoying these posts from my friend Dave Boehi, who wrote these Advent lessons to encourage us during Christmas. I love how he suggests using our new His Advent Names Adorenaments in each one. -Barbara 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

Have you ever wondered why your nativity set doesn’t have more figures?

Whether made of wood, glass, metal, or plastic, each nativity features the same figures: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, wise men, shepherds, animals, and an angel.

Didn’t anyone else visit the Christ child?

We know that the inn in Bethlehem had no room for Mary and Joseph so the city must have been bursting with people. But the Scriptures say nothing about any other travelers visiting the baby Jesus.  Maybe their warm hotel room walls muffled the magnificent voices of the host of angels praising God.

We know that wise men came to Jerusalem looking for the “king of the Jews,” and were directed by the chief priests and scribes to Bethlehem in accordance with Old Testament prophecy. But apparently those priest and scribes did not accompany the wise men to Bethlehem—even though the town was less than six miles from Jerusalem. Didn’t they want to meet Him too?

So it was only a few who came to behold the Christ child.  Sadly, that seems appropriate. In His birth and in His life, Jesus lived in a world that did not recognize Him.

John 1:9-10 tells us, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”

Even at His birth, Jesus was the Light in a world of darkness. He came so whoever believed in Him would not remain in darkness (John 12:46). But so many people, then and now, have not believed in Him. They have not recognized the light, or they’ve chosen darkness over the light.

Jesus says whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness. When you give your life to Him and walk with Him in faith, obeying His commandments in the power of the Holy Spirit, you will recognize and understand the dangers of our world, and avoid them. You will understand truth. You will grow in wisdom.

And you will become a light yourself in a world full of people who are lost in darkness.

 For more application with your children:

One night, bring your children into a room, and then turn out the light.  (Be sure to stay with them so they don’t get scared.)  While you’re in the dark room, ask, “How does it make you feel to be in the darkness?” and, “What things would be difficult for us to do while we’re in the darkness like this?”

Then turn on a flashlight.  Ask, “How does it make you feel when I turn on a light?”

Use the same flashlight to read some verses about Christ being the Light of the World (John 8:12, John 9:5, John 12:46).  Talk about how Christ lights our way in the world just as a flashlight in a dark room.

If you’re just joining us for Advent, welcome! Remember that any effort made to focus on Christ this season is worth it. It’s not too late! Jump in this week and if you have time you can look back at Week 1, Week 2 and Week 3. Be sure to subscribe to the blog to receive regular encouragement and truth.