20 Great Songs about Light

Posted on 2025-10-13 by thelittleman

Recently, I had the opportunity to challenge a youth group in Asia to be the light of the world—reflect Jesus our Savior and bring glory to our Father in Heaven (Matt. 5:16). This topic got me thinking about songs themed on LIGHT vs. darkness.

Access the Full Playlist Here!

Perhaps my favorite from this whole list is “Be the Moon” by Chris Tomlin featuring Brett Young and Cassadee Pope. This wonderful message that “I’m just a reflection of the love that I’ve been given” has stuck with me ever since I first heard it.

Jesus Said:

“I Am the Light of the World”

Jesus said of Himself: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12; John 9:5) This means three things about Christ:

  • He Shone in the Darkness (John 1:9, Matt 4:16)
  • He Exposed That Darkness (Luke 8:17; John 3:19-21)
  • He radiated the Glory of God (1John 1:5; John 14:9)

Check out these 10 songs on this wonderful theme:

  1. “Jesus, Light of the World” – Third Day (Christmas Song)
    “Jesus, light of the world, shine through the darkness, bright as the day. Jesus, light of the world, shine in our hearts, show us the way tonight.”
  2. “How Dark the Night” – Church Works Media (Christmas song)
    “How dark the night of fallen souls…till Jesus breaks our moral night and melts the heart of stone—All praise to God in heaven’s height, and peace to men below.”
  3. “Light of the World” – Lauren Daigle (Christmas song)
    “O come, Emanuel. And can you hear the angels singing? Glory to the Light of the world. Glory, the Light of the world is here.”
  4. “A King Like This” – Chris Tomlin
    “The Light, the Light has come. He is Christ the Lord. He is Christ our Savior. I bow my before no other name.”
  5. “Let There Be Light” – Third Day
    “Let there be light to bring us back home. There is one light. There is one Savior of the world. There is one hope His name is Jesus, Jesus.”
  6. “You Are the Light” – Sarah Hart
    “Upon our path, you are the Light. You are the Word that’s written deep within the hearts of all who long for endless days beyond the skies, for peace on earth and kingdom come.”
  7. “Light of Heaven” – Fernando Ortega
    “Light of Heaven, Lord of mercy. Shine the goodness of your love upon this day, till we see you, till we know you, till the sorrow and the darkness fade away.”
  8. “Glorious Day” – Casting Crowns
    “Word became flesh and the Light shined among us—His glory revealed! Living He loved me. Dying He saved me. Buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever. One day He’s coming—O glorious day!”
  9. “Be Thou My Vision” – Steph MacLeod (one of my favorite artists)
    “Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”
  10. “Abide with Me” – The Slocan Ramblers
    “Abide with me fast falls even time. The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail, comforts flee. Help of the helpless, abide with me.”

Jesus Also Said:

“You Are the Light of the World”

Yet Jesus also said His disciples and us: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matt 5:14; Luke 11:35-36) This means three similar things about us:

  • We Are to Shine in the Darkness (like Paul in Acts 26:17-18)
  • We Are to Expose the Darkness (Eph 5:11-14)
  • We Are to Reflect the Glory of God (Matt 5:16)

Check out another 10 songs on this second wonderful theme:

  1. “Be the Moon” – Chris Tomlin
    “I wanna be the moon up among the stars, fly around the world lighting up the dark of night. I’m nothing without the Son’s amazing grace on everything I do. If you’re shining on me, I’m shining right back for you.”
  2. “Let There Be Light” – The City Harmonic
    “Make us like a moon at night, a mirror of the Light. With just a word set the dark to flight. Sing to the world, ‘Let there be light!’ Oh Word of God, let there be light! Cut through the dark, O let there be light!”
  3. “Shine” – Salvador
    “Lord, let me shine—shine like the moon, a reflection of you, all that I do. Lord, let me be a light for your truth. Light of the world, I want to be used to shine for you!”
  4. “Let Your Light Shine in Darkness” – New Scottish Hymns
    “As the moon reflects the sun, now radiant we stand, freed from sin and Satan’s grip, God’s kingdom is at hand. Darkness, sin and death retreat and flee the marching dawn. His love casts out our fear and doubt, so let His church shine on. Let Your light shine in the darkness.”
  5. “Asleep in the Light” – Keith Green
    “God’s calling, and you’re the one, but like Jonah you run. He’s told you to speak, but you keep holding it in. Oh, can’t you see it’s such sin? The world is sleeping in the dark that the church just can’t fight, cuz it’s asleep in the light!”
  6. “The Light in Me” – Brandon Heath
    “You are the Hope that leads me out of the dark. You let Your love shine down, so that the world could see You put the light in me.”
  7. “Shine His Light” – Dad Swag
    “In the darkness of this world, a light we bear,  shining bright and bold, showing Jesus’ cares. Let our works be seen, so the world may glorify the One, the King of kings. Let your light shine bright in the heart of the night. For Jesus, our Savior, our guiding Light.”
  8. “Lights Shine Bright” – Toby Mac
    “I want to magnify your light. I want to reflect the sun. Cut like precious diamonds with colors by the millions. This is the only world we know and for now this rental’s our home. If we gonna be a reflection, gotta make this third rock glow.”
  9. “Shine” – Matt Redman
    “We will shine like stars in the universe, holding out your truth in the darkest place. We’ll be living for your glory, Jesus, we’ll be living for your glory.”
  10. “Send the Light” – Brandenberger Family (bluegrass instrumental; well worth a listen!)
    “There’s a call come ringing o’er the restless waves, ‘Send the light! Send the light!’ There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save: Send the light! Send the light!”

Access the full playlist here!

Conclusion

Listen to these songs as you live a life meant to reflect the Glory of God. As you do, consider in which areas you tend more towards darkness than light. Do you reflect the light of Jesus or the world’s darkness in your words, actions, attitudes, and character?

Do you reflect the light of Jesus or the world’s darkness…

  • with the words you SPEAK?
  • with the words you WRITE?
  • with things you DO?
  • with the things you WATCH?
  • with your ATTITUDES?
  • with how you behave when you’re ALONE?

Tell another believer where you struggle most and ask them for prayer and accountability in this area. Together, Let’s “be the moon up among the stars, fly around the world lighting up the dark.”

©2025 E.T.

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