The Light of the World

God both the creator of light and light itself; the light of life

by Tessa Mann

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To think about the idea that God is both the creator of light and light itself. To consider the idea of the light of life.

Preparation and materials

• You could have a collection of sources of light, such as a candle, torch, bike lamp, as examples of light.

Assembly

1. Ask if the children ever have to get up when it is still dark. How does it feel? Have they ever experienced a power cut? Have they ever woken up in the night and felt frightened of the dark?
   
   Think about why light is so important, e.g. we can see more clearly, so it keeps us safe, guides us, etc. Ask the children to think back to the recent holiday - what kind of lights did we see in towns and outside homes during November and December? Talk about Christmas lights and Diwali lights.
   
   Say that although those festivals are now past, you have an idea that your school could do with its own set of lights for the New Year: human lights!
   
   
2. Ask for a volunteer to come to the front and help you switch on the human lights. Ask the children (without talking to their neighbour!) to put both arms up, with elbows slightly bent, making a fist with each hand. Then ask them to put their heads down and their eyes tight shut.
   
   Note: This activity may be better suited to the younger children, so you could ask them to do it while the older children watch.
   
   Ask the volunteer to help you count down from 10. When you get to zero, pretend to pull a switch down and ask the children to open their fists out in a full hand span, and look upwards with their eyes wide open. Practise a couple of times.
   
   
3. Suggest that God knows how to switch lights on - remember that he switched the first lights on when he said, 'Let there be light.' And there was light.
   
   Also explain that Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.' So, God is both the creator of light and light itself! He also said that whoever follows him wouldn't walk in darkness but have the light of life.
   
   Say the quotations again, using the same routine as before but asking the children to 'light up', when you say the word LIGHT.
   
   You could also use other 'light' quotations from the Bible.

Time for reflection

Ask the children what they think it means when Jesus says that his followers will have the light of life? What sort of light is it? Value all suggestions and stress the idea that it is about hope, trying to do the right thing and having the joy of life within you.

Song/music

'Little star' (Come and Praise, 126)