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.

Jesus and Lights

Diwali and Jesus

Yesterday the Friends of India had the Diwali celebration on campus. Diwali is one of the most popular celebrations in India – it is called the “Celebration of Lights”. Chris Hale, from Ardhana, shares on Aradhna's blog a brief reflection from a booklet he read that gives interesting insight into Diwali (his link is http://aradhnamusic.com/)

I just received an amazing little booklet of Christ's words in the Sermon on the Mount, in typical North India Bhojpuri poetic style. I've been meditating on them over the last couple days. The booklet is put out by the Mukteshwar Math (Mutt) in Varanasi, where our dear friend, Swami Muktanand lives. The Math and Swami ji are featured in the upcoming DVD, Sau Guna in the songs Holy River and Yeshu Bhajan. I've attached a picture by Michael Wilson, that was taken at the Math. The little booklet is called, Sanatan Guru Yesu Ki Vani (the Word of the Eternal Guru Jesus).


Here is a line for our Diwali meditations. (sorry all you English speakers, skip down to the translation!)

Deep na jala rakein koi neeche
Rakhat sab jan deewat ke unchen
Ho ujiyaar bhavan sab taasen
Mudit banat sab jan tam naasen
Chamke Jyoti Janan bich aise
Chamkit deepak-deewat pe jaise
Lakh jisse tumhare bhal kama
Karei stuti, Prabhu pitu naama

No one lights an oil lamp and hides it somewhere
It is placed for all to see
So that light spreads through the whole house
It makes all joyful and casts off the darkness
So like a lamp stand shining out its light
Let your beautiful works be
They will praise the name of the Lord, our Father

If you aren’t familiar with Aradhna look around their website. They have influenced our Yeshu Satsangs greatly. Many of my favorite worship songs are now in Hindi! Aradhna has a new album coming out soon!