Thursday, January 06, 2011

Lighting Our Path


Lighting the path to the future.... Posted by Picasa

"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own." ~ Ben Sweetland
I remember being in New Year's Eve services where the congregation took small white candles held in crude paper holders to catch the hot wax drippings and formed a large chain around the sanctuary. Near midnight the organ would start to play an old hymn and we would begin to sing while the leaders in front began to light their candles. Each person received the flame and passed it on around until all were basking in the golden light. Voices raised together to ring in the New Year.

I've seen candlelight gatherings in remembrance of loved ones lost, vastly different from the joy of a new year and yet it seems even more appropriate. Sadness can become oppressive and all light seems gone from life..but the lit candle, even if only one or two, brings light back. The light dispels the darkness just enough to let us see and process our memories and remember with joy those that have left us.

This particular gathering is a tradition at William and Mary. The night before graduation the Seniors gather for humorous speeches, serious speeches, songs and a general good time... with snacks of course. They gather in front of the Wren building in cap and gown.... at the very end, the candles carried by each graduate are lit... from one to another.. they are lifted high and in one voice they sing the Alma Mater. These lights are hopeful, lights to show the way to the future as well as to remember their time spent here. I've wondered which tradition my daughter loved best at William and Mary... perhaps she'll tell me sometime. I thought this was lovely and was thrilled to have been there.

(end of post)
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6 comments:

Abby said...

Absolutely stunning image!

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a strangely lovely picture you are showing!! The first candle ceremony you talk about, that is what we did at church Christmas Eve, we do it every year. We stand in a huge circle, and that is not hard because our sanctuary is round.

kenju said...

I espect that was inspiring to see. We used to have a night of caroling in our neighborhood, by a bonfire, and we all carried candles and lit them one by one. It was special.

sandra said...

very interesting and extraordinary photo. really like it. the new years that you described is what we always did on Christmas Eve in our church. the same thing, we were lighting the way for the new birth of those that come to Him. it was always very  moving.

Rambling Woods said...

That is lovely and nothing like that was done where my daughter went to collage or grad school....beautiful idea...

Bobkat said...

What a lovely idea. Candlelight never fails to add atmosphere. This is a great photo and evokes voices joined in such a tradition perfectly.