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Lighting a candle

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

“Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Chinese proverb

“We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.“ Hugh Latimer, martyr, 1555

It was deeply moving to see people queuing quietly, almost reverently, to sign the Living Book of Remembrance at our
UNITE event just over two months ago. The candle flame burned close by, adding its own symbolism to the moment. It spoke to me of Jesus. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). He is the one at the centre of creation, at the heart of the universe. He has to be the guiding light of our ministry, of all we seek to do in his name.

It spoke to me of remembrance. Across the world there are flames that burn as a timeless reminder of lives given for others. We want our Living Book of Remembrance to represent our solemn promise never to forget those of our family who suffer, unseen, for their faith in Jesus. And as for many a candle flame
is a symbol of prayer, so our signatures in the book symbolise our commitment to prayer for our sisters and brothers.

For some, of course, candles mean romance. The candle-lit dinner can be a sign that things are getting serious, that love is in the air. The couple gaze into each other’s eyes, focused, no thought for anyone else. But then if a lighted candle is a sign of a relationship of love with serious implications, it is appropriate to our theme. And real love is expressed in action.

Then move from that image of intimacy to the massive stadium rock concert, the moment when everyone contributes their tiny light to create a great effect. It’s a reminder that while the little we can do doesn’t seem much, when it is a contribution to a bigger picture it can make a significant difference.

We are about to experience that lovely moment in the calendar when, in many churches, the first advent candle will be lit to remind us of the birth of Jesus, the coming of Christ. He was the one of whom Isaiah wrote “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3).

I know from the multitude of prayer requests we received in response to my letter earlier this year that many will take personal encouragement from these words. It may be a word for you, just as it is for so many of those we serve together, those who face suffering for the name of Christ.

As Eugene Petersen puts the same verse in the Message: “He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt, and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant.” What a wonderful promise!

May the light of Jesus illumine your life. And together, may we light a candle that will dispel the darkness.