One of the important things that have long been a part of the church ceremonies and the Christian religion as a whole are Church candles. They are often used to represent many things about the Christian religion. For instance, for the Catholics, the candle can represents the body of Christ.
Christian baptisms also hold the candle as a symbol of an individual's passage into receiving and being baptized in the light of God.
For weddings, the two candles that are lit by the couple's mothers represent their union. These are only some of the important roles that candles have during worship and ceremonies.
Using candles as a way that represents the light in the path of darkness has been something that's inculcated in the Christian viewpoint as something that's significant in the unbeliever's transition into walking with the Lord.
Moreover, the candles are not only representative of the guidance that God gives, but it also shows the Lord's love for his people.
All kinds of denomination use the church candles. Some have a preference as to the kind of candle they like to use for their church or services they perform.
For instance, the candles that the Roman Catholic Church uses have to be made from at least 51% beeswax. If it's an Orthodox church, the requirement would be that it is 100% beeswax.
Beeswax is a pricey ingredient. Because of this, the stubs of these beeswax candles are usually recycled and made into new candles. On the other hand, some denominations only require that candles be organic.
One ideal church candle used by other sects would be the vegetable wax candles. They are very efficient since these candles burn cleanly, have long burning hours plus they are relatively inexpensive.
Using church candles haslong been a tradition for thousands of years. These same candles that are used in various activities and ceremonies today were also once used to celebrate equally important traditions in the past.
Let's take a look at a brief history of how these same candles evolved and were used during ancient times.
Back then, Egyptians used the candle as a primary tool to conduct exorcisms, to scout out treasures and other rituals that they had. Because of this, the use of church candles was not exactly a welcome thought for the Roman Catholic Church.
Since it was primary tool used in pagan worship, the church had its hesitations. However, when the 4th century came, it slowly integrated the use of these candles into the common Christian rituals.
However, even though it became used in church it was not permitted to be used in the altar because of the association it had with witchcraft.
It wasn't until the Middle Ages when the church finally allowed church candles to be used in the altar provided they were blessed and cleanse. These candles were then also used as a way of blessing people, absolving sins, and casting out demons.
The use of candles has definitely come a long way. Humans have used candles for many purposes and they have become integrated into our everyday lives as well as special occasions. Not only that, church candles have become a part of our faith and will continue to become one as long as we make it to be.
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