Jesus Christ: Light of the World

Light is a critical component in our lives. The sun provides daylight, making it possible to see without straining our eyes. It provides essential nutrients for our bodies, like vitamin D. Natural sunlight impacts our moods; when there are extended periods of time with overcast skies, rain, or clouds, some of us find ourselves more moody or even struggling with seasonal depression. From our own limited experience, we can appreciate the importance of light in our lives. 

But the sun merely provides light to the physical world. The Bible tells us of a greater light, a light that provides promise and hope for our whole, spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical selves. Join Groundwork for our series, “Jesus Christ: Light of the World” to walk through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany together. We will remember the various gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth while exploring this theme of Jesus Christ as the light of the world throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In addition, we’ll discuss what it means for our lives as his followers in the world today. 

Advent, Christmas, & Epiphany

Every year, on the four Sundays before Christmas, church worship services around the world recognize the season of Advent. The purpose of this traditional season of waiting is to provide Christians with an intentional opportunity to prepare their hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus once again. The preparation includes reflection on the prophetic promises of the coming Messiah, as well as reading the gospel stories in Matthew and Luke that foretell of his coming and proclaim his arrival. 

On Christmas Day, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and remember that he is the fulfillment of generations of promises and is indeed Immanuel, “God with us.” We refer to the weeks that follow as “Christmastide,” and in worship services, the Christmas celebration and remembrance continue until Epiphany, the day that commemorates the arrival of the Magi and how they represent the extending of God’s family to include Gentiles. 

Darkness and Light in the Bible

The symbolism and Biblical themes of darkness and light are woven throughout the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. We find echoes of these themes from Genesis to Revelation. But it is Jesus Christ himself who declares, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). 

Tracing the themes of light through the Bible helps us more fully understand what Jesus means. It helps us recognize our calling to reflect his light in our daily lives. Studying this biblical theme as we also prepare our hearts to celebrate his birth allows us to follow a consistent thread that enlightens and renews our love for the familiar stories. It gives us direction as we move through the Advent season of waiting, celebrate Christmas with gusto, and take to heart what Epiphany means for us. 

Prepare Your Hearts to Celebrate

As you journey toward Christmas this season, I invite you to discover the hope and light the birth of Jesus brings to our world through our Groundwork series, “Jesus Christ: Light of the World”:

• Waiting for the Light of the World - Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 18:27-28, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 11:1-3, and Romans 13:11-14
• Preparing for the Light of the World - Isaiah 40:1-5, Matthew 3:1-3, John 1:1-14, and Matthew 25:35-40
• Out of Darkness and into the Light - Isaiah 2:2-5, John 8:12-19, and John 12:44-50
• The Light of the World Among Us - Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:8-9, and Revelation 22:5
• Reflecting the Light of the World - Titus 2:11-15, Isaiah 60:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16, and 2 Corinthians 4:1-9

...and together we’ll rejoice in the light that shines in the darkness and brings salvation to all who believe in him.