Votive candles
The votive candles lit by the faithful before an altar, or a statue of Jesus, the Virgin, a Saint, have an exact meaning. not this it is just an offer that the Christian makes to accompany his own prayer, to strengthen it, or to ask for a grace. The lit candle represents the Christian himself, his being a child of light and, therefore, a child of God. Lighting a candle and offering it is a way of affirming the will to follow the example of Jesus, to be "the illumination of the world". (soy candles)
Lighting a votive candle also communicates the longing to share our words and our considerations with the Lord, to the Virgin, to the Saints. It is a plea for help, a light that illuminates our lives from a higher place, perhaps at when we are struggling in the dark. Finally, the offer we leave to light the candle is a sacrifice that accompanies our prayer with deeds and makes our intention of Faith tangible.
Tabernacle candle
A separate talk would justify the light that illuminates the Tabernacle, indicating the presence of Christ within it. In any case, it's usually a lamp, not a candle, so it would be a piece out of our excursus. In any case, it should be recalled that, among all the lights that illuminate our temples, it is one of the most important and valuable, the burning flame that represents Jesus and the faith of the people who love it, the inexhaustible light that remains lit in any event, when we abandon the congregation, promising us a safe place to get back to at any time.
Advent candles
The Advent wreath is an exclusively evolved in Europe, which began during the nineteenth 100 years, to mark the weeks until Christmas. In fact, it is made up of a wreath of intertwined evergreen branches, holding four candles. Each Sunday of Advent a candle is lit. Originally, the Advent wreath comprised of one candle for each day of Advent, and often, even in present day wreaths, a fifth candle is inserted, which is lit at Christmas. The wreaths are kept in the house and generally the task of lighting the candles is given to the most youthful individuals from the family.
Each of the four Advent candles has a particular name and meaning.
On the principal Sunday of Advent, the "Candle of the Prophet" or "Candle of Trust" is lit. Recollect the predictions about the coming of the Messiah.
On the second Sunday of Advent, the "Bethlehem Candle" or "Candle of the Universal Call to Salvation" is lit. That recollects the city where the Messiah was born.
On the third Sunday of Advent, the "Candle of the Shepherds" or "Candle of Satisfaction" is lit. Recollect the shepherds, the first to adore Jesus. It is usually an unexpected color in comparison to the others, because on the third Sunday of Advent, the Ceremony states that the cleric ought to wear pink instead of purple. (nefeli)
On the fourth and last Sunday of Advent, the "Candle of the Angels" is lit. Recollect that they were quick to announce the introduction of the Savior to the world.
Candlemas candles
Forty days after Christmas, the Presentation of Jesus in the sanctuary is celebrated. This festival is referred to by all as Candelaria, and it owes its name to the old popular maxim: " In the event that it rains and it doesn't freeze because of Candelaria, winter is already outside ", and it is linked both to the furthest limit of-winter celebrations held in the same period, similar to the many candles that are honored and lit during the celebration.
By and by, the ceremony alludes to Jesus, the radiance of the world. In the Gospel according to Luke, Jesus is taken to the sanctuary by his parents and Simeon affirms: «Lord, you can now allow your servant to bite the dust in peace, according to what you had guaranteed me,
because my eyes have seen your Savior, whom you have prepared to benefit all people groups; light that edifies the nations and glory of your kin, Israel " (Luke 2: 25-35). The lighting of the Candelaria candles is, therefore, a recognition for Jesus, the bearer of light and a signal that communicates the craving to disperse darkness.(χειροποίητα παπούτσια)