Parade of Lights--The Light of the World

Everyone is aware of the annual “Parade of Lights” parade in downtown Denver. It became famous (infamous) last year because of a ruling that specifically religious floats were not allowed. Not surprisingly, some Christians complained.

This year that rule was amended, and there were indeed some “Christmas” songs and floats in the (non-Christmas) “Parade of Lights”. Ridiculous? Yes!

This passage from the Gospel of John shows why. It is Jesus Himself who is the light of the world. That phrase falls so easily from the lips: “the light of the world”. So easily we glide right over the phrase. Read it, savor it, and meditate on its meaning. Pray for understanding, even enlightenment.

JOHN1:1-14 (NIV)
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.


More to follow…