“May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” Each year at Easter vigils, these words pierce the darkness as Christians gather around the lighting of a large candle. This candle is the paschal candle, sometimes called the Easter candle or Christ candle; its name comes from pasach, the Hebrew word for Passover. Congregations may have different Easter celebrations and very different-looking paschal candles, but the meaning and symbols are universal.
After a period of darkness beginning on Good Friday, congregations first light this candle during their earliest Easter celebrations, signaling Christ’s banishment of death and darkness. This tall white candle represents Christ’s steadfast presence in our midst, and its flickering flame dances with light and warmth, illuminating our shadowed world. We continue lighting the paschal candle each Sunday throughout the Easter season, with most congregations continuing to light it until Ascension Day.We also light this special candle for baptisms, signifying the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those baptized in Christ. From this flame, a member of the congregation lights another candle, which is given to the newly baptized along with these words: “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Just as we light the paschal candle at the beginning of life, so too, we light it at the end of life. Its presence at the head of a casket or beside an urn reminds us again that Christ triumphed over darkness and death and that even in death, there is brilliant life.
Source: Candlecarving.info. "Meaning of the Paschal Candle." Accessed on February 7, 2011. http://www.candlecarving.info/Meaning.php.
Check out our Paschal Candles for 5% off and get all your Easter needs at Church Supply Warehouse online!
No comments:
Post a Comment