Hope: Light a Candle (Week of Nov 29)

What?
Light a candle every day and pray: “May we hope in the true light, which has come and is coming again, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Why?
Physical darkness can be suffocating, crushing. Emotional or spiritual darkness even more so. But the faintest glimmer of light, as dim as it may be, shines like a beacon to the burdened soul, calling them onward in hope. And there is no truer light, no firmer hope than the light of the world, Jesus Christ. He promises that whoever follows him “will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Indeed, one day the whole world will bask in his glorious light (Revelation 21:23). In lighting a candle and repeating these words, we visibly remind ourselves of the hope we have in him who overcomes the darkness (John 1:5).

How?
The logistics are simple enough: Decide on a time in which the whole household can participate, take any candle, light it, say the words. But the point is not simply in lighting the candle and repeating some phrases, as if these produce hope by some kind of magic. They don’t. The point is to direct our hearts towards the light of Christ and enlarge our hope in him. What does that mean for this practice?

It means that your attitude and intention matter. Perhaps prepare your heart with prayer beforehand or follow the practice with a prayer. Or, take a moment of silence to reflect on the meaning of Christ as our light and hope. You could also pair this practice with a reading from Scripture. Build out this practice in any way that helps you to focus your hope on Jesus.

For those who want to pair this practice with Scripture reading, consider these texts: 

• Psalm 18:25-30; 27:1-14; 37:1-7; 56:8-13

• Isaiah 9:2-7; 42:16-17; 60:18-22

• John 1:1-18; 8:12; 12:27-36

• Romans 5:1-2

• 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

• Ephesians 2:11-22

• Titus 2:11-14

• 1 Peter 1:3-5

• Revelation 21:22-27; 22:5

(You might also consider lighting the candles of an Advent wreath throughout this season.)