To close out our week of meditation aids, let's look at candles. We see them every Sunday in church, but do we really think about candles and what they represent? During the service of Evening Prayer, often the candles are not lit until the recitation of the Phos Hilaron. This
canticle is a vivid reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World as
represented in the light of the candles-the 'vesper light'.
O Gracious Light Phos hilaron
O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Candles can be used as a prayer aid in our own daily prayers and meditations whether as part of the Book of Common Prayer services or as a part of our own devotions. Lighting a candle can be a reminder that we are entering a holy time with God. Meditating on the flickering flame is a way for some people to find that centering and quiet we discussed earlier in the week. We might light a candle for a special intention like an anniversary or birthday, or for someone you are praying specifically for.
We should remember that each candle we light is representative of the Paschal Candle lighted at Easter to represent Christ's resurrection. During the Great Vigil of Easter a fresh fire is kindled and these prayers are said:
Dear friends in Christ: On this most holy night, in which our
Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church invites
her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in
vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which,
by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share
in his victory over death.
The Celebrant may say the following prayer
Let us pray.
O God, through your Son you have bestowed upon your
people the brightness of your light: Sanctify this new fire, and
grant that in this Paschal feast we may so burn with heavenly
desires, that with pure minds we may attain to the festival of
everlasting light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Paschal Candle is then lighted from the newly kindled fire, and the
Deacon (the Celebrant if there is no deacon) bearing the Candle, leads the
procession to the chancel
In the holy kindling of the Paschal candle, we see Christ's triumph over death and sin. In our own lighting of a candle at our prayer time, we bring the Light of Christ into our devotions in a tangible way.