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Locally many Churches highlight the Christmas Eve service(s) with candles being lit and each member of the congregation lighting their neighbor candle.
According to MorravianChristmas.org the tradition of Candles at Christmas began
" as an object lesson for children. At a children’s Christmas Eve service in 1747 in Marienborn, Germany, Br. Johannes von Watteville conducted a service for children that included the passing of lighted candles trimmed with red ribbon to the children. The children were told that the candles symbolized Jesus Christ as the light of the world, and the red ribbon symbolized the shed blood of Christ bringing salvation to all.
Candles were first used in a similar manner in America at the 1752 Christmas Eve service for children in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It became a yearly tradition starting in 1756."
However, WhyChristmas.com offers additional details.
"Perhaps the most famous use of candles at Christmas are Carols by Candlelight Services. These are services when the church is only lit by candles.
Candles were also originally used to decorate Christmas Trees, until safer electric lights were invented!
In some parts of Ireland, it was traditional to have a Yule candle instead of a Yule Log.
In Southern India, Christians often put small oil burning clay lamps on the flat roofs of their homes to celebrate Christmas. Christians in China use paper lanterns to decorate their Christmas trees. Candles are also used as part of the St. Lucia's or St. Lucy's day celebrations in Sweden."
Locally many Churches highlight the Christmas Eve service(s) with candles being lit and each member of the congregation lighting their neighbor candle. The flood of lights are symbolic of spreading the Light of the World...Christ.
shepherdchurch✨ We can’t wait to celebrate the birth of our Savior with you and your loved ones! 🌟
Additional Churches with a similar Christmas Eve service are listed here. There are over 25 Catholic Churches in the SFV, not all were included in this list because of time/space to add to the list. Christmas Eve Services | San Fernando Valley News Portal
More News from Los Angeles
- Christmas Eve Services An incomplete list of Churches in the San Fernando Valley honoring Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day Services An incomplete list of Churches in the San Fernando Valley honoring Christmas Day
