Candles

...So much talk about this being a "dark winter" or a "dark time" should not strike fear into our hearts, but it could be a reminder and therefore an opportunity to turn to the light. Blessed candles provide more than just ambiance. Listen to the beautiful blessing that the priest may place on them and you'll get the significance:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, bless + these candles at our lowly request. Endow them, Lord, by the power of the holy + cross, with a blessing from on high, you who gave them to mankind in order to dispel darkness. Let the blessing that they receive from the sign of the holy + cross be so effectual that, wherever they are lighted or placed, the princes of darkness may depart in trembling from all these places, and flee in fear, along with all their legions, and never more dare to disturb or molest those who serve you, the almighty God, who live and reign forever and ever.

Candles are beautiful realities. It is almost as if they have life themselves. They move and dance. They give off light. They consume the same air we breathe. The candles also sacrifice themselves to give off light to those around, much like the saints and martyrs in heaven...

-from Father Brian's Advent 2020 bulletin invitation to value the tangible sacramentals that we as a Church and people of God enjoy

Fr Brian