Light in Christian Worship Candlelight

Light in Christian Worship

Candlelight in Biblical and Historical Times

Light as an essential component of life itself has played a significant role in Christian

worship, both as a symbol and in practice (Anderson 2003). Candlelight is that form of light to symbolize the properties of light itself. These properties are heat, warmth and the ambient movement of the flame. Roman records on the use of the precursor of candles date back to Biblical times in the first century CE. Lampstands or candelabrium were used in Old Testament tabernacle and then in the temple. They were at first made of clay and then by metal vessels containing oil with a wick. These were called the menorah in Hebrew. The menorah was made of pure gold. It had three branches on either side of a central shaft, making up 7 lamps. It was to provide light to the tabernacle. It also functioned as a symbol of "light of divine revelation." Zechariah writes in the 6th century that the menorah has gained much significance as an inherent part of the temple perceived to symbolize or represent God's heavenly temple on earth. In his Revelation, John uses lampstands. They represent the 7 churches with Christ in the midst; 7 lampstands burn before the throne of God; and 2 lampstands with the olive trees as "heavenly witnesses." The use of the menorah continued from the Roman period to the present as the symbol of God's presence and redemptive power (Anderson).

The Jews used light in various ways. Within the synagogue, they hung the Ner Tamid or Eternal Light, above the Torah Ark to symbolize eternal presence. They also used candelabra during the Jewish Sabbath to bring about the symbolic effects of light. Their festivals include the elements of light. They light yahzeit candles during Yom Kippur to remember the dead. Of the two symbolic rituals introduced in New Testament times into the Festival of Tabernacles, one was light. The other was water. Four heavy candelabras were installed in the Court of Women of the Temple. It was said that the light from these candelabras was visible throughout Jerusalem. It symbolized the "revelation and truth of the Jewish faith." And during the Hanukkah, or the Festival of Dedication or Lights, a nine-branch menorah was used as central symbol. It commemorated the miracle of a single day's volume of oil, which lasted for 8 days in the lampstand after the temple was retrieved in 164 BCE (Anderson).

The early church also used light in baptisms (Anderson 2003). It represented the transition from darkness to light and served to remind the baptized person to be a light to the world for the glory of God the Father. When infant baptism became popular, the clergy and the sponsors at a baptism would hold burning candles to symbolize the unbroken and eternal union with Christ. This changed during the Reformation when the giving of candles at baptism was among the ceremonial aspects rejected by leaders. They aimed at eliminating uses, which linked up with superstition, specifically burning lights before images. The Anglican Church under Elizabeth I retained only 2 for the altar. The Episcopal Church during the founding of the colonies also did away with candles but for the sake of "religious simplicity" and because of economic pressures of the time. But the ceremonial and processional use of candles and crosses was re-introduced in Anglican churches in the 19th century (Anderson).

Elements of Church Candle Use

Churches use candles as part of prayer and worship (Lebednick 2011). The elements of the use of candles are symbolic understanding, prayer significance, liturgical practice, sacramental observance, and overall support of worshipful attitude. Candles are used primarily for symbolism. To Christians, the wick of a candle symbolizes the soul of Jesus Christ and His divinity. Church candles also accompany prayer. Votive candles are kept in a stand. Faithful light votives mean that a prayer has been granted or will be granted, usually in behalf of another person. Ecclesial law forbids Mass to be offered without lighted candles as a liturgical form of Christian worship. Sacramental observance encourages the lighting of candles, except in the case of the Sacrament of Penance. And churches endorse the lighting of candles to facilitate prayer and worship within the church premises or space (Lebednick).

Candle Use in Christian Churches

Most of these churches use and view the candle as symbolizing Jesus as the Light of the world or the presence and power of God (Baker 2009). Candlelight resonates with the pillar of fire, which God used to liberate the children of Israel in the Exodus. Other churches may connect candlelight with his or her life being offered or burned up in service to God. Every member of the Orthodox Church is encouraged to buy a small votive candle when entering a place of worship. He is to light it and place it in a small sandbox. He develops his own interpretation for the practice and passes it to others. The Orthodox Church is the most elaborate when it comes to church practices. It points to early sources, such as Eusebius in circa 360 AD, for the evolution of candle use (Baker).

Evolution of Candle Use

Candles were used in earliest times mainly as a source of light (Baker 2009). Records say that early Christians used candles to light their way when they met in Roman catacombs. They most likely placed these candles or wicked lamps in a strategic spots for both light and safety from fire. Candles were initially used not symbolically but for these practical uses. There we no strict rules for offering lighted candles. Purchasing them was voluntary and a small sacrifice. The size of the candle did not dictate the grace sought and received. However, some were meticulous about candle lighting and lighted several of them, one for every saint (Baker). The first two or three centuries of Christian worship were "homely and unadorned (Anderson 2003) because of the circumstances at that time. Christianity began to adopt cultural symbols before getting revealed in the fourth century after the conversion of Constantine. This evolution includes the introduction of lights and candles, which reflect the rise in the social rank by bishops (Anderson).

Signs in Worship

Candles are used in Christian worship to honor the traditions set forth by Church observances and the forms of public worship in a particular occasion (Bosch 2001). Major festivals and seasons call for more light and more candles, such as during Easter and Christmas than during Lent and Advent. The integrity of the various forms of worship require more candles and more pompous ceremonies, such as during Holy Communion than at a responsive prayer (Bosch).

The sanctuary lamp is used in Roman Catholic Church buildings to indicate the presence of communion bread left over by a previous Eucharist for distribution at another time to the sick and shut-in communicants (Bosch 2001). There is no need to introduce them in churches, which do not have them. Roman Catholic Churches are being remodeled to remove these lamps and their tabernacle or at least to transfer them to a side chapel. The "Christ candle" is another innovation, which evolved from recent American free-enterprise marketing concepts. There are the Vesper candle, the Paschal candle, and other candles that can be used for illumination and honoring. Wedding and unity candles are other unnecessary innovations, which have no valid basis for use (Bosch).

Sanctuary Lamps

These are located in the area around the altar of a Lutheran Church (ELCA 2011). Also called eternal flames, these usually hang from the ceiling by a chain. Otherwise, they are attached to the sanctuary wall on either side of the altar. Sanctuary lamps are believed to date back to Old Testament times when God gave directions for building tabernacles. According to Exodus 25: 31-45, tabernacles should include a lamp stand. Israelites should burn it in their meeting tents the whole day and night as "a perpetual ordinance (Exodus 27: 20-21) (ELCA)."

A Roman Catholic Practice

Burning in front of the reserved sacrament to indicate the presence of Christ has been the practice of the Roman Catholic Church since the 12th century (ELCA 2011). The light is inside a red glass placed near the tabernacle. The tabernacle is a box attached to the side of the altar for the reserved sacrament. Non-Roman Catholic Churches, such as the Episcopal Church and a few Lutheran churches, maintain a clear glass lamp lighted near a corresponding box, called aumbry. Some Protestant Churches took after the Roman Catholic Church practice and installed lamps in their worship areas, but excluded tabernacles and the reserved sacraments. The lights used in most of these Churches are kept I a red glass casing. These sanctuary lamps are installed and maintained to indicate the eternal presence of God in their church. The new design philosophy of current Roman Catholic buildings at present, however, does not endorse the installing of sanctuary lamps in the area of worship for whatever purpose. The philosophy states that the purpose of the worship space is for the gathering of God's people around the Word and the sacraments. It is not intended for the contemplation of the reserved sacrament. Under this new principle, Roman Catholic tabernacles are now set in separate chapels or other more appropriate places (ELCA).

Guidelines for Lutheran Churches

These Churches do not recommend the placement or use of eternal flame lamps in the worship area (ELCA 2011). Doing so will give the erroneous belief that God is present only because of the light or that He is absent if the light is off. Lutheran theology affirms the real presence of Christ in the sacrament and the maintenance of the elements for the sick and the homebound. Some Lutheran congregations keep a clear encased light near the elements to honor or indicate the area where these elements are kept but not to worship them (ELCA).

Symbols at the First Presbyterian Church

An acolyte carries a torch during a liturgical procession (FPCreidsville 2011). This light represents and reminds the faithful of God's pillar of fire, which guided the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness. In the church, it emphasizes the presence of God during worship. Like the acolyte who brings the torch, the faithful are to bring the light of Christ to the world (FPCreidsville).

Three special worship services were observed in the early centuries of Christian worship (FPCreidsville 2011). These were the Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Together, they comprised the Easter Triduum. Central to this service were the symbols of Light and Life, Christ's victory over darkness and death. He is the light that has come to the world. A large and special candle is placed on a stand and lighted on the eve of Easter. This symbolizes the victory of the resurrection over darkness and sin. The Easter Candle represents the risen Savior as the new pillar of fire. It is prescribed with a cross and the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters mean that He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last. The lighted candle burns from Easter to Ascension Day. This spans 40 days of His presence among His followers. The Paschal candle is used during baptism and funerals throughout the year to remind the faithful that everyone belongs to the risen Lord (FPCreidsville).

Light in Medieval Christian Worship

The Gloucester candlestick was an important part of medieval Christian ceremony (VAM 2011). Evening cathedral vespers included a lamp-lighting ceremony and a hymn of light. This symbolizes the light of Christian goodness in the darkness of sin. Christ has been recognized as radiating light as a halo or as beams since early times. Other than Him, light has been associated with the Three Kings or the Magi, who were most likely Zoroastrian priests. Zoroastrianism evolved from Iran 3,500 years ago. It considers fire the symbol of purity. Zoroastrian rituals and ceremonies always included sacred fires (VAM).

Service of the Shadows

Churches, which observe this service, light a flame on Good Friday (Bratcher 2010). The flame is either the Christ candle or a new fire. All other candles are lighted from the new fire. Some of the churches use a special Paschal Candle as the focal point during the service. Worshippers light their candles from the Paschal Candle as they sing a song of praise. The Christ candle symbolizes His resurrection and as the light of salvation and hope for all men. When held in a sanctuary, the lights are turned on all at once or in stages. This is done as the Scriptures are read. It goes in reverse of the Service of the Shadows and emphatically symbolizes the true light. This is conducted during Easter sunrise (Bratcher).

Easter Garden or the Empty Tomb

In a representation of the tomb where Jesus was interred, a light or white candle is placed (Bratcher 2010). This can be a Christ candle taken from the sanctuary after the Service of the Shadows. This make-believe tomb is placed in front of the church or near the communion table in Protestant churches from Ash Wednesday till the end of Lent. It is left open but without light inside it. The tomb is closed on Good Friday. On Easter morning, it is re-opened before worshippers arrive. The light is opened and the Christ candle inside are turned on to symbolize a new life (Bratcher).

Candlelight in Presbyterian Churches

They light up the Christ Candle, which is also called Paschal candle, for the weekly worship (Newlonsburg 2011). This candle reminds the faithful about Christ as the light of the world and about His presence during worship. Records show that the use of this candle dates back to the Easter Vigils of the 4th century. The modern version of this candle has the cross the date of the current year inscribed on it (Newlonsburg).

Lighting the Candle in Praise

Several movements lead to the orderly progression of events in community worship in the Methodist church (Anderson 2011).Worshippers first gather, sing praise for God's gift of life, a re-stating of basic beliefs and the proclamation and preaching of the Word. The singing praise ceremony consists of a prelude, lighting of the candles, the introit and the opening hymn. The organist or pianist chooses the musical piece to use in gathering the worshippers. It prepares them for worship. It may be a simple hymn or lively tune, whether classical or baroque. Candles are then lighted to connect with the old practice, which reminds worshippers that the light of Christ is in their midst (Anderson).