Light and Candles in Christian Worship: History and Symbolism

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 the form of light used to symbolize the properties of light itself — 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 candelabra, were used in the Old Testament tabernacle and later in the temple. They were at first made of clay, then of metal vessels containing oil with a wick. These were called the menorah in Hebrew. The menorah was made of pure gold, with three branches on either side of a central shaft, making up seven lamps. It was designed to provide light to the tabernacle and also functioned as a symbol of the "light of divine revelation."

Zechariah, writing in the sixth century BCE, records that the menorah had 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 seven churches with Christ in their midst; seven lampstands burn before the throne of God; and two lampstands with the olive trees serve 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, 2003).

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 produce the symbolic effects of light. Their festivals incorporate elements of light as well. Yahzeit candles are lit 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 and the other was water. Four heavy candelabras were installed in the Court of Women of the Temple, and it was said that the light from these candelabras was visible throughout Jerusalem. It symbolized the "revelation and truth of the Jewish faith." During Hanukkah — the Festival of Dedication or Lights — a nine-branch menorah was used as the central symbol. It commemorated the miracle of a single day's supply of oil that lasted eight days in the lampstand after the temple was reclaimed in 164 BCE (Anderson, 2003).

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 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 reforming leaders. They aimed at eliminating uses connected with superstition, specifically burning lights before images. The Anglican Church under Elizabeth I retained only two candles for the altar. The Episcopal Church during the founding of the colonies also did away with candles, both for the sake of "religious simplicity" and because of the economic pressures of the time. The ceremonial and processional use of candles and crosses was, however, re-introduced in Anglican churches in the nineteenth century (Anderson, 2003).

Elements of Church Candle Use

Churches use candles as part of prayer and worship (Lebednick, 2011). The elements of candle use are symbolic understanding, prayer significance, liturgical practice, sacramental observance, and the overall support of a 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, and lighting a votive signifies that a prayer has been granted or will be granted, usually on 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. Churches also endorse the lighting of candles to facilitate prayer and worship within the church space (Lebednick, 2011).