This Little Light of Mine was written to praise Jesus

The subject of the light

There are television commercials that use the chorus of This Little Light of Mine. The song is also used as a lulaby for children. I grew up at a time when children sang this song in church and it was understood that the "light" was Jesus Christ.

Boys and girls in choir robes sang loud and out of tune but the congregants clapped and cried as they watched. Later these children watched their own sons and daughters sing the tune and repeated the pattern of clapping and crying. The popular first verse is as follows:

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

Oh 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".

Scripture bases for the song

What the secular world ignores or perhaps is not aware of is that this musical selection was written by Christian minister Harry Dixon Loes and that this popular tune is scripture related. It comes from Matthew 5:14-16

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Luke 11:33 "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

The Origin of the song

Loes studied at the American Conservatory of Music and the Moody Bible Institue. He was a teacher and a musical composer who wrote or co-wrote a number if gospel songs. The song, however, also became a folk tradition, with John Lomax first using it in 1939.

Television commercials use the first verse realizing that it relates to Christ giving a command to His followers. Many may not realize that there are two more verses that follow. The second verse is:

Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine,

Everywhere I go I'm gonna let it shine,

Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

The third verse is the key because it reveals the Source of the light.

Jesus gave it to me, I'm gonna let it shine,

Jesus gave it to me, I'm gonna let it shine

Jesus gave it to me, I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine let it shine.

Let your light shine

For those who follow the Bible, the light that shines from believers is a reflection of Christ who is the light of the world living in us. In John 8:12 Jesus applies the title to Himself I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ... When I am in the world, I am the Light of the World.

This Little Light of Mine will probably continue to be sung in church and used for commercial purposes. Still, it's always good to know the roots of the music we use today. Keep the reason for this song in mind the next time you hear it in a teleivision commercial. Make sure your own light is shinning brightly through the darkness.