The Christ Candle

We give thanks for the light of hope—unrelenting and inexplicable.
Our hope in Christ shines on.
We give thanks for the light of peace—strong and unafraid.
The peace of Christ lights our way.
We give thanks for the light of joy—persistent and unpredictable.
The joy of Christ strengthens our lives.
We give thanks for the light of love—burning bright and holy.
The love of Christ comforts and endures.
We light the Christ candle to affirm and declare that God is with us, Christ is Lord and He is coming again for the redemption of all things.
Thank you, God, for your light in this world through Jesus Christ;
The light that shines in the darkness; Your glory, full of grace and truth. Amen.

PONDER: GOD’S LIGHT FOR US

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3

God has set me free. He has kept me from going down into the darkness of the grave. So I’ll live to enjoy the light of life. Job 33:28

Lord, you keep the lamp of my life burning brightly. You are my God. You bring light into my darkness. Psalm 18:28

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

O, send out your light and your truth; let them lead me… Psalm 43:3a

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7, 12.

What words or phrases stand out to you (what is the Spirit highlighting to you)? Why do you think this is?
How does living in God’s Light affect you? (Consider its influence in these verses.)
What might God be saying to you? To your neighbours?
How might the Spirit be nudging you to respond?

You might want to journal your responses.

PRAYER PROMPTS

A prayer in song: Shining Light Rend Collective

Roman candles that burn in the night,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
You lit a torch in the infinite,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Yeah, you light up my life.

You have always been a thorn in their side,
But to me you’re a shining light.
You arrive and the night is alive,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Yeah, you light up my life.

We made a connection,
A full on chemical reaction,
Brought by dark divine intervention,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
A constellation once seen,
Over Royal David’s city,
An epiphany you burn so pretty,
Yeah, you are a shining light.

You are a force
You are a constant source,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
Incandescent in the darkest night,
Yeah, you are a shining light.
My mortal blood I would sacrifice,
For you are a shining light.
Sovereign bride of the infinite,
Yeah, you are a shining light,
Yeah, you light up my life.

These are the days you often say
There’s nothing that we cannot do,
Beneath a canopy of stars
I’d shed blood for you.
The north star in the firmament,
You shine the most bright.
I’ve seen you draped in an electric veil
Shrouded in celestial light.

PRACTICE: ABIDING IN CHRIST

Listen to, ponder and sing a Christmas/Epiphany song throughout the day —

Sing it with, for and over your neighbourhood—
Allow the song to dwell in your mind and keep your heart attentive to Christ abiding in you and you in Christ, God is with us, Emmanuel, here and now, come Lord Jesus!

Pause and ponder nativity scenes, Christmas decorations as in previous weeks. This time…

Pay attention especially to the way the magi are portrayed…
Focus on those that speak to you of our Twelve Days of Christmas themes.
How do the depictions make you feel? What do you appreciate? What do you wonder about?
Talk with others (family, neighbours) and the Lord about it.
How might you envision, look for, carry with you, and share these themes today?

Pause and ponder seasonal art, nativity scenes, Christmas decorations…

You may want to focus particularly on a piece of art that communicates to you the themes of light, grace and truth, glory, stars, magi.
How do the depictions make you feel? What do you appreciate? What do you wonder about?
Talk with others (family, neighbours) and the Lord about it.
How might you envision, carry with you, and share the gifts of Christmas today?