Jesus, Light of the World
Words and Music by James E. Nelson (Just Another Jim)

This song was written before Christmas 2002 or 2003. I have had a 
difficult time recording it because it has a Christmas theme and I have 
a preconceived notion of what Christmas music should sound like. This 
song does not sound like my preconceived notion, so it has sat on the 
shelf. I finally decided to think of it as an "incarnation of the Son" 
song rather than a Christmas song. (I know, they're the same thing, but 
humor me.) Once I got out of the preconceived "Christmas music" sound I 
was able to put down some tracks and come up with an acceptable version 
of the song.

Lyrics:

1. In the midst of a cold, hard winter
when the darkness resisted the dawn,
the wind blew the snow hard and bitter
'cross the road that I travelled upon.

2. There the trees loomed above me like crosses
where the wind hung my hope for the dawn,
and it mocked me with a shrill song of losses
that I knew since I lost my way home.

3. But a house stood before me. It's welcome
challenged darkness and called to the dawn.
The windows beckoned like angels
singing "Glory!" for Mary's Son.

Refrain:
Jesus, the Light of the World,
coming to us in the dark before dawn.
You came to us as a baby
but in your light we saw God's Son.

4. Like a window this baby let God's light
shine from heaven to the darkness on earth.
He's a candle inviting us inside
where God's love gives us warmth and life.

Refrain: