Jesus is the Light: Advent Readings

John 1:4-5; John 8:12

I didn’t become a true follower of Jesus until my college years. Before that I actually called myself an atheist or skeptic. But my youth was spent going to church (mom made me go) so I had memories of what Christians did and once I became a follower I wanted to experience all the celebrations of my youth but as a true followers of Jesus.

When my first Christmas came as true devotee of Jesus I was excited to experience the true meaning of Jesus – the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus. I figured it would be so cool as a true believer. I was extremely disappointed. The “Christmas season” got in the way of my celebration of the birth of Jesus. I was busy working extra hours at a lumber yard so I could afford gifts. There were people everywhere in a hurry. And Christmas eve and Christmas day seemed to be all about food, relatives, and opening gifts.

At first I was disappointed in my culture but then I realized I did little to make it different. I wanted others to do things so I could have a “real Christmas”. But what to do? I did two things: One I bought a “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” button and I put it on my coat the next Christmas. This might seem minor but it actually was an important ritual for me every Christmas for many years.

The second thing I did was far more important. I was introduced to the concept of the season of Advent – a special period of time that started four Sundays before Christmas. It was a time period of daily Bible readings that pointed my mind to Jesus. Advent is a time to remember the coming and over over the years I added things to celebrate Jesus’ coming.

One thing I started doing is putting up Christmas lights. But not for the cultural reasons, but because of the Bible today’s Bible verses! Jesus is the light of the world and the light shines in the darkness. Every year I’d put up lights, either on my house or in my room when I rented a room. On the first Sunday of Advent (this year Nov. 28^th) I’d turn on the lights and I’d say “Jesus is the light of the world and the light shines in the darkness.” This might seem simple but for me it has become a special moment for my celebration. When I finally decided to follow Jesus, Jesus brought light into the darkness of my life. I’m a very different person today because of that light. Christmas is about the light and I’m going to light the lights to begin my celebration.

I am so thankful that the light of Jesus shines in my life and as I begin remembering the most important moment in history, before Easter, I want to light the lights to daily remind me that Jesus is the light.