Candle’s flame will keep faith glowing

Lend your light this holiday to someone in pain

I love Christmas, the whole shebang. Christmas carols, the getting ready, preparation of good things to eat, gift buying, and attending Christmas Eve Service.

I remember one such occasion, the carols had been sung, and now was the lighting of the candles. The lights had been turned off and the room was in darkness. The first candle was lit. It was a flicker of light in the darkness, teetering, and willing itself to get stronger. Then there was another flicker, and another.

Soon the whole room was transformed by the candlelight. It was amazing how one candle could change the room.

The first candle teetering in the darkness reminded me of a time when I felt like I was barely emotionally living. My world was dark, and I did not have much strength, much energy to spare. I was wondering how long I would be able to go on.

Things had come to a head in our lives, in our career, in our marriage. Even my faith had taken a severe blow. I felt so all alone and in despair. When we are lost in those dark moments, we don’t see much of a future, nor do we have positive thoughts of how we can go on.

As I was sitting there, I felt a warm presence, reminding me that I was not alone. My faith was still there, showing me that I was that teetering candle. Other candles had come my way. The memory of these individuals that had come beside me and lent their light, keeping my candle going, flooded my being.

Sitting there in the Christmas service, the warmth spread all over, although I thought I had been all alone, I had not been left alone. Others came and lit my candle, keeping the flame alive.

The room of the Christmas service was filled with candles lending their light.

During these festive days when so many are not feeling at all festive, stand beside someone and share the light of your candle.