Children’s Sermon

John 1:1-18

Light of the World

KEY VERSE: The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. (John 1:9, World English Bible)

OBJECT: String of Christmas lights, or two or three Luminaria. [Lew–men–awe –ree- a] (Note: A Luminaria is made of brown paper lunch bags with a little bit of sand in the bottom. A safe tea-light can be place inside to give out light. Luminarias would be fun for the children to make in a classroom later. At Christmas Time, people of the southwestern part of the United States often line their driveways with simple Luminarias. In the old days, each Luminaria had a small candle inside, but today, we use safe battery-operated tea-lights shine from inside. )

SERMON:

At Christmas time, we see lights everywhere: shining from windows, decorating houses, on our Christmas tree and in stores everywhere. Christmas is sometimes called a time of light.

An interesting thing about darkness and light is that light drives away the darkness. If you have ever been in the Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico, you will discover that there is a place where everyone stops in a safe place and the guide turns out the lights. You can’t see anything – not even your hand right in front of your nose! But, when the guide strikes a match and that tiny light pushes back the darkness and you can see the people around you. You can even see stalagmites and stalactites not far away. It is amazing. Such a small light can drive away the darkness.

The Bible calls evil darkness. The Bible also says that Jesus is the “true light” that helps every person. I’m glad we live in a world where Jesus shows us what is good and what is evil so we can know how live our lives in the right way.

Jesus, son of God, was born as a tiny baby. Jesus didn’t stay a little baby though. He grew up in a carpenter shop, and learned how to work. He also began to share all he knew about God with others. He even told them one time that they were to be lights in the world. He said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness” (John 12:46, World English Bible)

When we believe in Jesus, we no longer stay in that darkness of evil that the Bible described. No! Jesus is our Savior and his light pushes back the darkness.

Aren’t you glad Jesus came to earth to bring light to a dark world? (Let the children respond, and have prayer.)

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, he Bible tells us you came to earth as a tiny baby to bring light to the darkness. You grew up to be our Savior. Thank you.