If you grew up in church like I did, there is a very good chance that you know this song…You probably know it if you only occasionally attended Sunday school or Vacation Bible school.

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

Hide it under a bushel, NO!
I’m gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel, NO!
I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

Won’t let Satan blow it out
I’m gonna let it shine
Won’t let Satan blow it out
I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

Let it shine round (your town’s name)
I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine round (your town’s name)
I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

Let it shine til Jesus comes
I”m gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes
I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine

You sang along didn’t you?

Doing a little research into the song itself, (you’ll find out that I’m a bit of a history buff), I found that, according to Wikipedia, the lyrics were written by Avis Burgeson Christiansen, and the music by Harry Dixon Loes, some time around 1920.  You can read the Wikipedia article here. Other sources did credit Loes with the tune (here’s one), but I haven’t found any other sources giving Christian credit for the lyrics. Some sources list it as a Negro spiritual.

While the identity of the lyricist is up in the air, the ultimate source for the lyrics is not. They come straight from scripture. Matthew chapter five begin what we now know as the “Sermon of the Mount”.  Jesus is speaking to a large crowd of people. In  verses 14-16 he says,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

So, this blog, what is it all about?

Well, first of all, its about Jesus, the Light. Everything we do here is for his glory. So, we’re going to talk about him as the Light and as the Word. We’re going to dig into scripture to see what God has to say to us.

Then, it’s about us…the light bearers. It’s about letting his perfect light shine through our less than perfect lives, and allowing that light to transform those lives. When others see His light shining through us, it guides them to Him. That’s why we’re here!

Because music is an integral part of worship, we’ll be talking about music too, as well as composers and lyricists. They are light-bearers too, and many serve as great examples for us.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by for my first post. I’ll be back soon.

Connie