Candles
Children's sermon
Let Them Answer
(At the time when the acolytes usually come out to light the candles, call the children forward.)
Does anyone know why we use candles in our worship service? (LTA) They're pretty. They give light. It's just a tradition. Where did that tradition come from? Does anyone remember? (LTA) That's right. When the church had to meet in secret, they sometimes met in dark places. They had to have light and since they didn't have electricity yet, candles worked well.
Do we need candles in this church? (LTA) No, we can get by during the daytime without them. What about at night? (LTA) It is fun to see candles at night, like we used at our candlelight service on Christmas Eve. But, unless the lights go out we could probably get by without them.
What do candles do, besides give us light? (LTA)
What do candles have to do to give us light? (LTA) They have to burn themselves up, don't they? Candles are a reminder of a sacrifice. Who was it who gave himself for us and had to use himself up for us? (LTA) Right! Jesus was like a candle in sacrificing himself so others could see how great God's love is.
We give the candles on the altar special meaning also. On our altar, how many candles do we have? (LTA) We only have two candles. What do you think they might represent? (LTA) We call them the gospel candle and the epistle candle. Which one is which? (LTA) It is not hard to remember. The one on the side from which the pastor reads the gospel and preaches would be the gospel candle. (If there are more candles near the altar, the two are usually called the communion candles, representing the two elements or two natures of Christ.) Which candle should we light first if there are two candles and only one person to light them? (LTA) That's right. We'd light the one on the gospel side first, because it represents the good news of Jesus.
What if we had seven candles on each side of the cross? What do you suppose they would represent? (LTA) They could represent the seven gifts of the spirit. Which one do you think we should light first? (LTA) A good rule to remember is that we should light the candles closest to the cross on the gospel side first.
What are some other times when we use candles? (LTA) Right. We use a wreath during Advent. How many candles are there? Right. We use one candle for each Sunday of Advent and one other larger white candle. What is that candle? (LTA) It's the Christ candle or the Christmas candle. It reminds us that Jesus is born and our waiting is over. When do you think we should light that one? (LTA)
Besides sacrificing itself to give light, a candle reminds us of many things. Can you remember some of the things we talked about? What do candles remind you of? (LTA - Light, Jesus, good news, Advent, Christmas, communion ...)
Let's be thankful for the candles when we see them.
(Have acolytes light candles now.)
Does anyone know why we use candles in our worship service? (LTA) They're pretty. They give light. It's just a tradition. Where did that tradition come from? Does anyone remember? (LTA) That's right. When the church had to meet in secret, they sometimes met in dark places. They had to have light and since they didn't have electricity yet, candles worked well.
Do we need candles in this church? (LTA) No, we can get by during the daytime without them. What about at night? (LTA) It is fun to see candles at night, like we used at our candlelight service on Christmas Eve. But, unless the lights go out we could probably get by without them.
What do candles do, besides give us light? (LTA)
What do candles have to do to give us light? (LTA) They have to burn themselves up, don't they? Candles are a reminder of a sacrifice. Who was it who gave himself for us and had to use himself up for us? (LTA) Right! Jesus was like a candle in sacrificing himself so others could see how great God's love is.
We give the candles on the altar special meaning also. On our altar, how many candles do we have? (LTA) We only have two candles. What do you think they might represent? (LTA) We call them the gospel candle and the epistle candle. Which one is which? (LTA) It is not hard to remember. The one on the side from which the pastor reads the gospel and preaches would be the gospel candle. (If there are more candles near the altar, the two are usually called the communion candles, representing the two elements or two natures of Christ.) Which candle should we light first if there are two candles and only one person to light them? (LTA) That's right. We'd light the one on the gospel side first, because it represents the good news of Jesus.
What if we had seven candles on each side of the cross? What do you suppose they would represent? (LTA) They could represent the seven gifts of the spirit. Which one do you think we should light first? (LTA) A good rule to remember is that we should light the candles closest to the cross on the gospel side first.
What are some other times when we use candles? (LTA) Right. We use a wreath during Advent. How many candles are there? Right. We use one candle for each Sunday of Advent and one other larger white candle. What is that candle? (LTA) It's the Christ candle or the Christmas candle. It reminds us that Jesus is born and our waiting is over. When do you think we should light that one? (LTA)
Besides sacrificing itself to give light, a candle reminds us of many things. Can you remember some of the things we talked about? What do candles remind you of? (LTA - Light, Jesus, good news, Advent, Christmas, communion ...)
Let's be thankful for the candles when we see them.
(Have acolytes light candles now.)
