Third Sunday in Advent

Third Sunday in Advent, Year B
John 1:6-8
The Light of the World

Hi, Everybody!  I hope you are doing well this morning, as we continue our Countdown to Christmas this Advent season.  Let's look at the Advent wreath and see how many candles are lit this morning.  How many lighted candles do you see?  Three!  That must mean this is the Third Sunday in Advent!

The Advent wreath is just one place we see candles at Christmastime.  Many people set out pretty red, green, white or gold candles to help decorate and light their homes this time of year.  In the country of Germany, the tradition is to put real candles on the Christmas trees and light them.  Those trees look beautiful, all lit up with the glow of the candles, but it is kind of dangerous.  People always have a bucket of water nearby, just in case the tree catches fire!  I think most people use the safer electric lights on their trees these days.

Many people also decorate the outside of their homes with strings of Christmas lights.  Some are white, some are different colors.  Some blink on and off, and some drip down like icicles.  Some houses have just a few lights, and some have so many, it looks like daytime even after the sun goes down.

There is a reason people fill their homes with candles and lights during Advent and Christmas.  We use these special decorations to welcome Jesus, who is the Light of the World.

The Bible tells us about a man named John.  "John was sent by God to point out the way to the Light.  He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in.  John himself was not the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light." (The Message)  That Light was Jesus.  Jesus is called the Light of the World because he came to light the path and show us the way to God.  His teachings and his actions--Jesus' whole life shone with God's love for all people.  Because of Jesus, we know that God loves and cares for us.  Let's thank God for Jesus, the Light of the world right now.

All-Loving God, We thank-you for sending Jesus into the world to be our Light so that we  may find the way to You.  Thank-you for loving us completely.  Help us to share your love with others this holiday season and all year long.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.