We're in the Jewish festival of Hanukkah when candles are lit for 8 days to commemorate the dedication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and liberation from oppression. And in many Christian households the candles of the Advent wreath are lit in preparation for the birth of Emmanuel, God-with-us, at Christmas -- already amongst us and born anew. So, at our Interfaith clergy meeting Wednesday morning, we discussed the significance of lighting candles.
We thought about what is the work of lighting one candle. To provide light, certainly, perhaps warmth, ambience. To allow us to follow the way. To focus our prayer or petition for someone -- as I did this week when Shelby called and asked me to pray with her as she recovers from a coma. Lighting a candle can be a sign of hope in a weary time. A commitment to trust in the goodness of creation rather than succumb to the anxiety and fear others promote. It is a practice to bring more light into the world, rather than curse the darkness.
Then what is 2-candle work? Scriptures promise whenever 2 or 3 are gathered in Christ's name, the divine is present. So what is the work to join your light with others, to encourage and support? And then what is the work of 4 candles or 8? The work of the church to remember and retell the stories of the people of faith throughout the generations (THANKS to those who are bringing the characters of Advent alive in worship). What is the work of the faithful in the world to bring light and love and truth to a suffering world?
For ultimately, we light the candles of hope, peace, joy and love to fill us up so that we might be enlightened to bring more hope, peace, joy and love into all of creation.
Blessed Advent,
Pastor Kelly
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