This Little Light of Mine... I'm gonna let it shine!!!

Do you know the song, This Little Light of Mine?  It is definitely a favorite of children's Bible classes everywhere.  My Wee One loves to sing it.  In fact, her Bible class has a set of lights they use while they sing.  Wow!  They sure have come a long way from swirling an index finger in the air like I did when I was a kid.

As we prepare to head to Bible camp next week, I thought I would make a set of lights.  I plan to have the pre-campers perform the song at campfire.

Here is the tutorial:

1 - Gather the following supplies:  1 toilet paper roll (could also use paper towel rolls), 1 battery-operated votive, low-temperature glue gun with glue, packing tape, and scissors.  I found the votives at the dollar store in packages of 3.  You can also buy higher quality lights if they better suit your needs.

2 - Cut the tube open from top to bottom.  The votives were a smaller circumference than the inside of the tubes so this is necessary to keep them secure.   Make your cut as straight as possible.   This becomes important when you wrap the tubes around the votives.

3 - Add a notch.  This notch needs to be deep and wide enough so you are able to switch the light on and off once it is inserted into the tube.  (You can also sing Deep and Wide while you do this.) 

4 - Add hot glue around the votive.  I used a low temperature glue gun so as not to burn myself OR the plastic on the light.  Remember, these were dollar store beauties so I thought I better be a bit cautious.

5 - Begin to wrap the tube around the light.  Be certain to make sure the switch is in the window created by the notch AND the top of the light lines up with the top edge of the tube.  Work quickly as the glue will only be warm and pliable for a short while.

6 - Wrap the tube tightly around the votive and secure the end at top with a little hot glue.

7 - Secure the lower portion of the tube with a strip of packing tape.  I cut a longer piece than needed to fold inside and provide a bit more strength.

8 - Go ahead and test out your light.  You know you want to!  Now, you COULD stop here.  In fact, the lights used by Wee One's Bible class look exactly like this.  However, I remembered I had some decorative tape and thought I would put it to use.

9 - Begin to pull off strips of tape and wrap around the tube, covering the bare cardboard.  Be sure to keep the notch area free of tape.

10 - The finished product!  Although the tape is not lined up perfectly, I thought this was a great first effort. (I have two little ones under the age of 3 and they were not terribly cooperative during my crafting session.)  Next time, I may try using pretty scrapbook paper and gluing it to the outside of the roll.

Now get busy and create your own lights to add a little more fun to This Little Light of Mine.

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
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
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
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.

Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
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.

Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
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.

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 til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
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.