*Note to parents: This week we end where we began, awed that Jesus came to bring light to the darkness! You’ll see that this Week 4 devotional is set up differently than the three previous weeks. With that in mind, know that the main focus is simply this: Jesus is the Light of the world and He tells us we are the light of the world. May we let His light shine through us!

We have included a pdf of LIGHT Verses for you to print and read together. Enjoy!

Gather

Gather with your family or your church family. This is a great opportunity to get together with multiple families! Be creative. Enjoy a meal together first, or gather outside with a big batch of hot cocoa or hot apple cider.

If you prefer to gather indoors and you made or purchased an Advent wreath, light the first, second, third, and fourth candles.

Parent/Leader, as you light the candles (or after you have enjoyed outdoor fellowship and fun with your warm drinks), say:
Christmas Day is coming this week, the day we will celebrate the birth of Jesus. No matter what, we must always remember Jesus came to bring light to the darkness.

Read

Hand out your LIGHT Verses, then take turns reading each verse aloud. Emphasize the word light! Parents, take particular notice of how God turns our darkness into light, how He is our light, how His light guides us, and how one day, the day we are waiting for, there will be no more darkness, only light forever!

Share these things with your children as you read or after you have read all the verses. Then say:
Jesus is the Light of the world and He wants us to be His light in this world. How do we do that? (Allow for answers)

Listen again to John 8:12: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

If we want to be lights in this world; if we want the light of Jesus to shine through us, then we must follow Him. 

Pray

Dear Jesus, thank you that you are the light of the world who brings light to the darkness! Help us to follow you always. Make us your little lights in this world so that others will come to know you. In your name, Amen.

Sing

One way we shine light in the darkness is by singing songs about Jesus. So let’s sing!

Parents, we recommend you sing several of your favorite songs together now (Christmas and/or worship songs), beginning with Go, Tell It on the Mountain.
Here is a link to the lyrics: Go, Tell It on the Mountain
My favorite version can be streamed from your favorite music streaming service and also found on YouTube: Go, Tell It on the Mountain

Enjoy

After the sun has set, take a family lights drive. As you “ooh” and “aah” together over neighborhood Christmas lights, remind your children that Jesus is the (Big L) Light of the world and we are His (little l) lights of the world. Crank up your Christmas carols’ playlist and have fun!

As an extra way to celebrate, end your “lights” drive with some ice cream, either back at home or at a local ice cream shop. While we wait for Jesus to return it is good and right to celebrate who He is and all He has done for us. Together, let us celebrate that He is the Light shining in the darkness!

From all of us at FamiliesAlive, Merry Christmas to you and your family!