Light of the World: An Advent Devotional

INTRODUCTION

Christmas lights have always been my favorite element of Christmas decorations. Much to my husband’s dismay, I keep the Christmas lights inside our home running 24/7 through the entire month of December. There is something so magical and beautiful about our home being lit up with those twinkle lights throughout the Christmas season. Christmas lights have always been a wonderful visual reminder for me of Jesus’ words from John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.”

During his earthly ministry Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” to which Peter answered, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29). The Gospel of John records 7 “I am” statements that Jesus spoke during his first advent (coming). I have long been fascinated by, and often find myself meditating on and pondering, these 7 statements of Jesus because they are his self-proclamations of who he is.

It is my hope that you will join me for a 21-day advent devotional as we seek to prepare our hearts for truly grasping the wonder and beauty of the gospel this Christmas. We will do that by spending the next 3 weeks combing Genesis through Revelation to discover the fullness of Jesus’ statement, “I am the light of the world.”

In the coming days you will find one devotional for the 21 days leading up to and culminating on Christmas Day. Be sure to read the Scripture passage that is listed at the top of the page before reading the day’s devotional. As always, take a moment to pray before you begin your devotional time each day. Ask him to open your eyes that you may behold wondrous things out of his word (Psalm 119:18) and to give you understanding that you may obey him with your whole heart (Psalm 119:34).

This advent devotional is not an end in and of itself, but it is rather a means to the end of having a heart that has taken the time to behold the excellencies of Christ and marvel at his first appearing, while anticipating his second. It is my prayer that through the time spent meditating on and pondering these things we will bring to Jesus the glory he is due by reflecting his light into a dark world. For not only is he the light of the world, but he has called us to be cities on a hill in our own little corners of the globe, that others might see our good works and glorify the one who is in the business of bringing people out of darkness and into his marvelous light.

For his glory,

Erica Mason Schrader