This post is a part of our Advent series. If you'd like a PDF version of the full Advent devotional,click here!

As we celebrate Advent, the darkness of late autumn and winter begins to set in. When we rise from our slumber each morning, we are greeted by dark, starlit skies. Shortly after we pull into the driveway from a hard day's work, the darkness creeps back in and quickly ushers us back into our nightly slumber. Some days, the clouds are so dense and the gray so heavy that a shadow of darkness is cast over the entire day. We begin to long for brighter days, earlier dawns, and later dusks. Spring sunlight brings relief after a winter season of darkness. 

After Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden, darkness set in. It's a darkness we can all feel. To our dismay, as dark as those early days were, there would be darker days coming. The days of Noah were dark. Despite God's pillar of fire, Moses and the Israelites couldn't help but feel the darkness. In the days of the judges, the darkness seemed to reach its peak. Yet, in the days of Israel's corrupt kings, we see some of the darkest days in human history. Sin, idolatry, and darkened hearts gave way to the exile, famine, death, and desolation of God’s chosen people. 

Yet, into the darkness came a great light! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone" (Isa. 9:2). What did they see? Who was this great light? It was the promised Savior and Messiah. It was the Son of God who caused the light to shine when His Father said, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3). He is the Light who came into the world (John 1:9; 3:19). The darkness of sin and death could neither comprehend nor overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5). 

Jesus wasn't shy about this reality, either. He stared Pharisaical darkness directly in the face and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12). As further evidence of His true nature and power, just prior to making a blind man see, Jesus declared, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:5). In pitch darkness, the light of a candle can illuminate a room. Yet, Jesus wasn’t a flickering candle, He came like a blazing, glorious sun, bursting onto the scene with immeasurable glory. 

The Light of the World reveals the darkness that resides in all of our hearts. He also exposes the deepest needs of those He interacts with, some for their salvation and others for their judgment. His teachings pierce the most learned scholar as well as the ignorant and unlearned (Acts 4:13). Greatest of all, Jesus shined the light of salvation, illuminating the gospel for all who would receive and believe in Him (2 Cor. 4:6).  

This is what Advent is all about. This is why we string up lights and enjoy the glowing flame of the Advent candles each Lord’s Day throughout this wonderful season. The true Light has come into the world. As you meditate on the blazing glory of our Savior, remember this: 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) 

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the Light didn't leave the world. He shines through us. As the full moon lights up the night sky, we “shine as lights” in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (Phil. 2:15). Shine bright, dear brothers and sisters! The world needs to see His glory. ​

Kids' Version
The kids' version of this article has been edited and rewritten with kids in mind. Feel free to share this with your kids or read it to them during family worship. You can also find a video version of this article read by my children, here.

Advent is upon us! As we celebrate, the days become shorter and the nights longer. When we wake up in the morning, we see a dark, starlit sky. It seems like right after school the darkness comes back, and we go to sleep. Sometimes, the clouds are thick and the gray sky makes the day feel gloomy. We start to wish for brighter days with earlier mornings and later evenings. Spring sunlight brings relief after a long winter. 

Long ago, after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, darkness filled the world. We all feel this darkness. Sadly, even darker days were yet to come. The days of Noah were dark. Despite God's pillar of fire, Moses and the Israelites also felt the darkness. In the days of the judges, things seemed to be at their darkest, but they got worse in the days of Israel's corrupt kings. Those were some of the darkest times in Israel’s history. Sin, idol worship, and hard hearts led to exile, hunger, death, great sadness, and emptiness. 

However, into this darkness came a great light! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, light has shone on them" (Isa. 9:2). Who was this great Light? It was the promised Savior and Messiah. He's the Son of God who brought light to the world when God said, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3). The darkness of sin and death couldn't understand or overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5). 

Jesus wasn't shy about this truth. He looked right into the darkness of the Pharisees and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Then, just before making a blind man see, Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). In complete darkness, a candle's light can brighten a room. Jesus was even bigger and even better! Jesus was like the blazing sun bursting into your room on a bright, summer morning! 

The Light of the World shows us the darkness in our hearts. He also shows us what we need most. His teachings reached all kinds of people, whether they were super smart teachers or regular little kids like us. Most importantly, Jesus showed the light of salvation, explaining His good news to all who would receive and believe in Him.  

This is what Advent is all about. It's why we decorate with Christmas lights and light Advent candles on Sunday mornings. Light has come into the world. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, He has some amazing words for you: 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16). 

Did you hear that?! If you’re a Christian, you get to carry the light of Jesus with you everywhere you go! When Jesus went to heaven, the Light didn't leave the world. He shines through us. Just like a full moon brightens the night sky, we “shine like lights” in a sinful world (Phil. 2:15). Shine brightly, kiddos! The world needs to see His glory! ​

Daily Readings 

Day 1: Read John 8:12-30 

• How does the darkness of the Pharisees’ and Jews’ responses prove that they did not have the Light of Christ? 
• Why do you think Jesus chose to use darkness and light imagery? How does the metaphor light connect with the idea of knowing Him? 

Day 2: Read Isaiah 9:1-7 

• How were the days leading up to Christ’s coming described by Isaiah in this passage? 
• What are some of the ways Jesus is described in this passage? How do these words give hope about the One who was to come? 

Day 3: Read Revelation 21:22-27 

• How will the New Temple and New City be lit up after the return of Christ? How does this give us hope and anticipation of Christ’s second Advent? 
• Who will walk in the light of Christ in the days after Christ’s coming? How does this help us understand that Jesus was the light of the world? 

​
Song
We The Kingdom - Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)​

​Advent encourages us to pause and contemplate the arrival of Jesus as a man, offering eternal life to sinners in need of a Savior. However, amidst the holiday rush, we often lose sight of this vital focus. The glory of Christ is often overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of shopping, event planning, travel arrangements, and meal preparations. While desiring newer and nicer things is not inherently wrong, these desires can offer only temporary satisfaction, causing us to misplace our hope and joy. 

The core message of Advent, however, is that Jesus descended from heaven to provide eternal satisfaction. John 6:47-51 illustrates this: 

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 

Jesus proclaims Himself as the "Bread of Life." Before this declaration, He had performed miracles among the sick, drawing a large, eager crowd proving His Divine nature and power. Jesus' compassion led Him to feed thousands, and they rejoiced, but they sought Him for earthly gain and were disappointed when He didn’t want to be their earthly king and slipped from their grasp to obscure Himself. 

Later, the crowds returned for more food, missing the point of Jesus’s miraculous works. Jesus redirected them, urging them to believe in Him for eternal sustenance. Many had anticipated a Messiah who would provide manna, much like Moses did in the desert, but Jesus corrected their understanding, emphasizing that God sent the true bread that grants life (v. 33). He declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (v. 34). Many of the people grumbled, just like their forefathers of old. 

In the Bible, bread symbolizes life. Jesus used this metaphor to emphasize that He is the source of true life. Just as the ancient Israelites needed manna to survive, the people of Jesus' time needed spiritual nourishment from Him. He emphasized that their hope lay not in material possessions, an earthly Messiah, or good deeds. Rather true hope was in Him, the Bread of Life. 

This Advent, consider where you seek life and hope. While the Sunday School answer may be "Jesus,” self-examination is essential. In moments of distress, where do you turn for solace? During this holiday season, do you find more joy in Jesus or the gifts and festivities. 

The good news is that Jesus sympathizes with our needs and desires. He extends the offer of eternal life, even amidst doubt and confusion. This year, keep giving gifts, singing hymns and carols, and celebrating with loved ones, but prioritize feasting on the Bread of Life. Dedicate time to read His words, meditate, and talk with Him. Create an Advent tradition centered on shared meals, discussions about Jesus, and communion with Him. He calls out, saying, "I am the bread of life. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever" (v. 58). 

Kids’ Version 
The kids' version of this article has been edited and rewritten with kids in mind. Feel free to share this with your kids or read it to them during family worship. You can also find a video version of this article read by my children, here.

Advent is a special time when we celebrate Jesus, who gave us the best gift ever—eternal life! But sometimes, we get busy with gifts and parties and forget what's important. We might even dream about cool stuff, but those things don't make us truly happy. They definitely don’t keep us alive. Jesus is the one who gives us real joy and life. 

Jesus came from heaven to give us eternal life and show us that real happiness is in Him. Let's learn from what Jesus said in John 6:47 and 51: “I am the bread of life… If anyone eats this bread, they will live forever”. Before saying those amazing words, Jesus did mighty miracles and healed sick people. He showed them that He is God. Lots of people followed Him, hoping He'd be their king, but Jesus wanted them to understand that He was far more than that. 

Later, the crowd came back, not to learn from Him but to get more food. Jesus said they should work for something even better than yummy food. They should work for eternal life by believing in Him. Just by believing they could live forever. Even after seeing miracles, some folks wanted more signs. They thought Jesus might give them manna like Moses did. But Jesus said, "I am the true bread from heaven, giving life to the whole world” (John 6:33). 

When they asked for this special bread, Jesus said: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never be hungry or thirsty. (John 6:35). Some people didn't like this message, just like their ancestors in the desert didn’t like Moses’ words. Jesus said only those God draws can come to Him. This was a hard truth, but they needed to hear it. 

In the Bible, they needed bread to live. We also need food and water to live, just like we need Jesus for eternal life. If we don't believe in Him, we can’t live forever with Him. Long ago, God gave manna to hungry Israelites, but they didn’t live forever, and they didn’t even trust God after He took care of them. 

People in Jesus's time need to feast on Him with their hearts to really live. We need to do the same thing. They needed to know that toys and stuff can't make them happy. Jesus, the Bread of Life, gives us true joy and life forever if we love Him. 

During Advent, think about where you look for happiness. It's easy to say "Jesus," but do you really believe it? Do you really mean it? When you're upset or confused, where do you go? Does Jesus bring you more joy than the toys and fun stuff at Christmas? 

Jesus knows what you need. He's the gift of eternal life, even when you're grumpy. He's saying, "I am the bread of life. Anyone who loves Me will live forever" (John 6:58). 

This Advent, have fun giving gifts, singing songs, and being with family. But don't forget to enjoy the Bread of Life—Jesus. Spend time reading about Him, thinking good about Him as much as you can, and talking to Him. Ask your parents to start special traditions with your family, and make them all about Jesus. He's calling you right now and offering you eternal life! 

Daily Readings 
Day 1: Read John 6:22-59. 

How does the surrounding context help you better understand Jesus as the Bread of Life? 

How does Jesus being the Bread of Life impact your life today? 

Day 2: Read Exodus 16:1-36.  

How does this passage make us anticipate the coming of the Savior who is the true Bread of Life? 

How does the gospel provide a greater hope than the physical manna from heaven? 

Day 3:  Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. 

How and why is the Lord’s supper greater than the manna in the wilderness? 

What is the importance of the Lord’s Supper in the life of the church today? How does it point us to the gospel? 

Song: 
“On and On” – Trip Lee ​