31 Days to Christmas Day 11: Candles

We see a lot of candles lit around Christmastime.  We fill our homes with candles.  We place candles in advent wreaths.  Our churches often put out candles.  So what do candles have to do with Christmas? 

 

Scent:  This isn’t specifically related to the next two, but I think it’s interesting to think about.  Candles usually have a specific smell.  Often, Christmas candles smell like pine, sugar cookies, cinnamon, or berries.  They fill our homes with the smells of Christmas.  I think this is really important because smell is a sense that is often not touched.  We see the Christmas lights and decorations around town.  We hear the music.  We taste the goodies.  But smell is an important sense.  Often, a smell can bring back a specific memory or make you think of a specific place.  The aroma of candles filling your house can bring back memories from Christmases past and help create new memories for you to draw from in future years. 

 

Warmth: Lighting just a few candles in your home can bring warmth to a room.  Let this warmth remind you of Jesus’ loving arms wrapped around you.  He came because He loves you.  He cares for you.  No matter what, He wants to hold you.  Let the warmth of His fire rest in your heart this Christmas. 

 

Light:  This one is basic.  Jesus came to be the light of the world.  But let’s take it a step further.  A fun exercise to do with your children is to turn out all the lights and just light one candle in the room.  Then, use that candle to light another and another until the room is glowing with warm candlelight.  Talk to them about how Jesus came as the light to a darkened world.  When one soul accepted Him, they too became a light.  Then they shared Jesus’ light with another person and another.  If we share that light with those around us, then our whole world can be full of light. 

 

This Christmas, think about how you can let the light of Jesus shine through you.  How can you share with someone in need?  Have someone without a family join your family for Christmas dinner.  Smile at someone in a crowded store.  Drop some change into the Salvation Army bucket.  Spread the Light.  Christmas might just be what this world needs to bring them closer to Christ. 

 

Matthew 5:16

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.