The Importantance of Church Candles
Church candles are one of the more important things that are used in church ceremonies and the Church religion. They are usually taken to represent many things about the Christian faith. For example, the Catholics hold the candle as representative of the body of Jesus Christ.
Christian baptisms also hold the candle as a symbol of an individual’s passage into receiving and being baptized in the light of God.
For weddings, the two candles that are lit by the couple’s mothers represent their union. These are only some of the important roles that candles have during worship and ceremonies.
Using candles as a way that represents the light in the path of darkness has been something that’s inculcated in the Christian viewpoint as something that’s significant in the unbeliever’s transition into walking with the Lord.
Moreover, the candles are not only representative of the guidance that God gives, but it also shows the Lord’s love for his people.
All kinds of denomination use the church candles. Some have a preference as to the kind of candle they like to use for their church or services they perform.
For example, Roman Catholic Church candles have to be strictly made of beeswax, at least 51% of it. If you go to an Orthodox Church, however, the candles should be made of 100% pure beeswax.
The fact is that beeswax is quite expensive. This is the reason why the stubs are recycled to be made into new beeswax candles as well. On the other hand, there are other denominations that prefer to use organic candles instead.
One ideal church candle used by other sects would be the vegetable wax candles. They are very efficient since these candles burn cleanly, have long burning hours plus they are relatively inexpensive.
Using church candles haslong been a tradition for thousands of years. These same candles that are used in various activities and ceremonies today were also once used to celebrate equally important traditions in the past.
Let’s take a look at a brief history of how these same candles evolved and were used during ancient times.
Originally, Egyptians were the ones who used candles to carry out exorcisms, look for treasures and other rituals. Thus, using church candles were not exactly something that the Roman Catholic Church was keen about.
The church was hesitant since it was a primary tool in pagan religions. However, the 4th century arrived and it slowly integrated the use of candles in Christian rituals.
By this time, it was admitted to the church, however, despite of this, they were still prohibited from being used in the altar since it also had strong associations with witchcraft.
It wasn’t until the Middle Ages when the Church decided to bless and consecrate candles. This was then used for blessings as well as absolving sins and driving out demons.
The use of candles has definitely come a long way. Humans have used candles for many purposes and they have become integrated into our everyday lives as well as special occasions. Not only that, church candles have become a part of our faith and will continue to become one as long as we make it to be.
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