Lighting the Way

In the long, cold nights of December, I treasure the warm glow of candles and lights that brighten our shop windows, houses, and dining tables.

Different faiths have different traditions at this time of year, but many of them involve around candles in some way.

During Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, it's a time when families gather to light the menorah, a symbol of resilience and faith. Each night, a new candle is lit, adding brightness and hope. It's a reminder that even the smallest light can dispel darkness.

And Kwanzaa is a celebration of African heritage. Here, the lighting of the Kinara is central, each candle representing a core principle - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. It's a powerful visual of building a community on strong, shared values.

My family and I celebrate Christmas.  We light four candles at church during the four Sundays of Advent.  They represent hope, peace, joy, and love.  One of my favorite traditions on Christmas Eve comes after the service.  As we exit the church, we sing “Silent Night,” and we light our candles, first one, and then another and so on.  When we arrive outside, our gentle voices and the flickering candles mix together to create a circle of warmth, connection, and serenity. 

Through the simple act of lighting a candle, we're connected by a universal language of hope and community.  Your light can make all the difference for others.  You can brighten someone's day, especially when times are tough.  Let’s try to keep that spirit of light going, not just during December, but all year long.