{"id":2786,"date":"2022-03-04T16:10:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T16:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jimmy.ekota.net\/?p=2786"},"modified":"2022-03-04T16:10:01","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T16:10:01","slug":"let-there-be-light-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jimmy.ekota.net\/?p=2786","title":{"rendered":"Let There Be Light"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Anyone that\u2019s read this blog over the years may remember that when we first moved to Shepherdstown, we participated in making the Paschal, or Easter, candle for our church. In the past I\u2019ve described a bit how we did it and it\u2019s become an annual activity for us every year. The plan was to turn the candle making over to someone else because the same people have been doing it for quite a few years now. But \u2014 you know what they say about plans\u2026. this past past Saturday we once again gathered to perform our candle making routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of these blog posts have talked about the activities associated with making the candle and not the candle itself \u2014 I thought today might be a good day to do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Paschal candle is one of the most sacred and enduring elements in Christianity. It is made of beeswax to represent the purity of Christ. the candle\u2019s wick signifies Christ\u2019s humanity, and the flame His Divine Nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word \u201cpaschal\u201d is the equivalent of the Greek paschs, derived from the Aramaic pash\u0101 and Hebrew pesah, meaning passing over. With the coming of Christianity the word \u201cpaschal\u201d took on a new meaning, referring to Our Lord\u2019s passion, death, resurrection, and glorification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The use of the Paschal candle has varied over the centuries. Initially it was broken up after the Easter Vigil and fragments were given to the faithful, but from the 10th century onward it was kept in a place of honor near the Gospel until the Feast of the Ascension, 40 days after Easter. By the 12th century, it was common to inscribe the candle with the current year. Over time the candle grew in size to merit its description of \u201cpillar.\u201d By the mid-sixteenth century, some Paschal candles weighed as much as three hundred pounds, and after use, were melted into tapers to use at the funerals of the poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, our candle doesn\u2019t weight three hundred pounds, but it\u2019s about five feet tall and in a few weeks it\u2019ll be ready to take its place in our church. It\u2019s always nice to see the new candle in place on Easter \u2014 it\u2019s a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life\u2026. \u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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