This Jesus candle craft for kids is a simple, meaningful way to talk about Jesus as the Light of the World, especially during the Christmas season. Using basic supplies like popsicle sticks, tissue paper, and cardstock, your children can create a bright “flame” to remind them of Christ’s light. This easy Bible craft is perfect for Sunday School, Children’s Church, homeschool Bible time, or anytime you want to pause and focus on Jesus.
This Jesus Candle craft is extremely versatile for many different projects – any study of Jesus as the Light of the World and of course Christmas! All three of my bigger kiddos loved making these lights.
John 8:12 says:
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
🎄Looking for more Christmas Ideas? Browse through my large selection of Christmas Worksheets and Printables! You will find book suggestions, more craft ideas, and a plethora of printable worksheets and activities for your young learners.
What You Will Need for Jesus Candle Craft
The supplies you will need for the Jesus Candle Craft can easily be found at Wal-Mart or any craft store. I love it when crafts have supplies that are easy to find!
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Items You’ll Need for this Light of the World Craft:
– Jumbo Popsicle Sticks used for crafts – you will just need one per child
– Red, orange, and yellow tissue paper – it’s cheaper to buy it in a rainbow variety pack
– Colored card stock – We chose green, but any color will do
– Glue sticks
– Magnet or hanging ribbon – whichever you choose to work with; We had a roll of magnet tape already, so that’s what I used.
How to Make a Jesus Candle Craft
Follow these easy step-by-step instructions:
- Create the candle base.
Cut a 1″ x 4″ strip of colored cardstock to serve as the candle. Glue the cardstock “candle” onto the top portion of a popsicle stick.
Confession: I didn’t have any cardstock that was Christmas-y colored, so I used a beautiful piece of green paper and cut it to fit on a piece of white cardstock. Glued the green onto the cardstock and we had a nice looking candle. I always try to make do with the craft supplies that we have. Sometimes that doesn’t work out, but I’m glad it did this time.
2. Prepare and glue on the tissue-paper flames.
Tear small pieces of red, orange, and yellow tissue paper. Completely cover the top of the candle with glue. Then glue on top of the tissue paper and add even more flames. The more you use, the prettier it will be!
3. Decorate and display.
Let your children decorate the candle portion if they’d like. Then add a magnet to the back or glue on a ribbon hanger so you can display it on the fridge or Christmas tree.
And here’s a picture of my Littlest One. Oh she’s so sweet! She didn’t make a candle, since she would have surely eaten the tissue paper. But she had a great time watching her siblings.
Using Your Jesus Candle with Your Children
Whether it is Christmastime or not, it’s always the right time to talk about why Jesus is the Light of the World. Pair this craft with singing This Little Light of Mine and reading Scripture (John 8:12) , and you have a great Sunday School, Children’s Church or Homeschool Bible activity.
When finished, make sure you display these in a place around your home that you can readily see them. Put them on the refrigerator, hang them on the bathroom mirror, or hot glue a ribbon on it and use it as a Christmas ornament.
The goal is to make sure it is in a prominent place so you and your children can often talk about why Jesus is the Light of the World.
Edited to add in 2025: At the time of this original writing, my children were 6, 4, 2, and that sweet puddin’ pie baby pictured above. Now my children are 20, 18, 16, 15, and 8. For years, those green Jesus Candles stayed on our fridge and on our big 8′ whiteboard in our school room. Mamas, take the time to do fun crafty projects and always make sure you stop and take the time to talk about Jesus, the Light of the World. The time spent pouring into your children will not return void. ❤️
More Christmas Craft Ideas for Children
This post was part of a 5 day series of Christmas Crafts for Children that I published 10+ years ago. Find the other ones here:
🎄Easy Christmas Sequined Ornaments Craft
🎄Easy Felt Christmas Tree Craft for Kids
Easy Felt Christmas Tree Craft for Kids
Yay! I was looking for something to use for my 3-5 Sunday School class, and this is perfect. We are discussing Luke 1:68-79 and I am going to focus on Jesus as a light to us (last 2 verses). We will add them (as ornaments) to our church Christmas tree. Thanks for a great project idea!
Patti, I’m so glad you can use it! I’ve written a small Children’s Bible Study to go along with the craft…I just need to find time to get it posted!
Enjoy your Sunday. 🙂
Thank you! Perfect Sunday School activity!
Thank you so much. I’m using it with my Sunday School group also. I appreciate you sharing your ideas and methods. 🙂
So glad you can use the idea, DJ! Thanks for stopping by –