WHY DO ANGLICANS DO THE THINGS THEY DO IN CHURCH? 10. Why Do We Use Candles in Church? Most Christian churches use candles with various meanings. The most common use is as a reminder of the light Jesus brought into this world. This kind of light doesnt just light up a space in the night but enlightens our lives. As Anglicans, we trace the use of lamps and candles back to the Old Testament. The services in the first temple in Jerusalem included lamps and candles not just for light but for their symbolic significance. Many references in the Bible refer to light. At that time fire was the only source of light, so it is a natural progression to candles representing that light. Since that time, candlelight or lamp light has represented the Light of Christ in our churches, as well as representing the presence of God. Fire representing the presence of God goes all the way back to Moses and the burning bush, and the Israelites following the pillar of fire in the wilderness as well as other Jewish celebrations. During Jesus life, Jewish texts provided instructions for lighting a lamp at the ark of the Covenant which represented the presence of God. This practice may have influenced the Christian practice of placing a lit candle near the Tabernacle to show the presence of God in the form of the Blessed Sacrament. It is recorded in the 2nd century that candles were used not just for light but to symbolize Christ as the Uncreated Light that keeps us from seeming to walk around in darkness even in the light, as found in Psalms 119:105, Your lamp is a light unto our feet and a light unto my path. The early Church were driven by persecution underground in the catacombs; therefore, oil lamps and candles were used as the only means of light during their services. Candles were later used to symbolize the light of Christ, who is the light of the world (John 1:1-9; 8:12; 9:5). Priests light baptismal candles to symbolize Christ enlightening the newly baptized individual. At Easter, a special big candle (called the Paschal Candle) is blessed and placed in the sanctuary until Pentecost Sunday to affirm that not even crucifixion or death could overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5; I Corinthians 5:7) Two candles are usually placed on the altars symbolizing the two natures of Jesus – His Humanity and Divinity. Lit red votive candles in many chapels symbolize prayers for ourselves and others. Lighting a votive candle represents the belief that Jesus shines his love on our prayerful intentions.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 13:34:36 +0000
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