MINISTERS MUSINGS

January 2008 Musing

CANDLES IN THE DARK

This year because Easter is early, the Christmas season treads hard on the heels of Lent. In the ancient Church year Candlemas on February 2nd marks the end of the Christmas cycle. These days, with the commercialisation of Christmas it appears to start at the end of the summer and finishes abruptly on December 26th with bargain sales and advertisements for cut price summer holidays. It is a pity that instead of starting early we do not savour the full joy of Christmas well into the new year.

Candlemas marks the midpoint of winter. It is halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In the days before electricity when churches were lit by candles, all the candles to be used during the ensuing year were blessed. Candles are a powerful symbol. Their soft, warm flame eases back the surrounding darkness. They remind us that Christ came into a dark, sinful world to bring light and life and hope. He claimed to be the Light of the World. As Christians we believe that we are called upon to reflect that light . There is a children’s hymn we always sing at another candle service celebration, Christingle.

Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light,

Like a little candle burning in the night,

In this world of darkness,

So we must shine.

You in your small corner,

And I in mine.

Simple words, but so true. There are so many dark corners around. So let us go into 2008 in the light and love of Christ, bringing some light and love into the lives of those who experience so much darkness.