Light

John 12:34-36 (NRSV)

The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

I LOVE candles! Anyone who's ever lived with me can tell you that, i've got them everywhere. Besides the ones I have out in my room I have at least 2 shoe boxes/tupperwares filled mostly with tea lights, i've got at least 200. Why you might ask? Well if you've ever been to a lock-in, camp, or metting when i've done worship, you most likely know already.

The light candles give creates a mood. In a worship setting it is very reflective and quiet mood. The soft light seems to affect everyone, yet differently. It calms the most roudy of youth, focuses the group, and prepares them for prayer. I decorate the alter with a few big candles then a tea light or two for everyone who will be at worship (always plan for extra). Making sure they are all over cloth and hopefully two layers or plastic too. When worship begins, i only light the large candles.

First logistics of this~ you can put it anywhere in the service, it works great for a reflective time at the beginning to center the group, or great as a prayer time in the middle or towards the end to meditate or clam down from energetic worship. I ask the group to think of the ways God has been present in their lives and be thankful, as well as things they are praying for in their own lives. Then i invited them to light a candle to represent their prayer. If there is a small group or enough time/candles, I encourage them to light one for a friend as well. In general, soft music allows for people to come up as they are ready, and pray or reflect until everyone is done. **demonstrate how to light the candle by taking an UNlit candle and tipping it upsidedown/sideways into a lit candle** There is also unending ways to explain the importance of this event.

I work with youth often, and began doing this when i was a youth, leading worship for our CCYM meetings for my cousin. Giving an individule something they can claim as theirs gives them ownership, but the little tea lights together make a big light. The little lights add so much more light, a visual analogy to the difference a group can make in the world. Each of us have a light in us, and others see that (even if you don't think so!), but that light by itself is not very strong, and it needs other lights to keep it going strong.

The messiah does remain forever, through his followers, and his light is in us, but we are not him. We can't do it alone. But we shine together!

your sister in Christ~Erin