During the Soviet era in Russia, the government limited access to candles. This seems rather strange until you realize how important candles are for worship in the Russian Orthodox Church. It was a not so subtle way of limiting the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. While candles do not hold so great an influence in our worship, I do enjoy them. A candle sits on my desk year round and I like to surround it with seasonal decorations. Christmas candles are a particular delight. I love seeing a candle in the windows of homes. I am helped by the Advent candles to focus my attention on the meaning of Christmas. My heart rejoices when we light the Christ candle to mark the birth of Jesus. It always stirs my emotions when we raise our candles in the Christmas Eve Service. The glow of candlelight softens the angels of everyone’s face and I think again, “everyone is beautiful in their own way.” The light of candles recalls Jesus as the light of the world, and Jesus’ followers as lights in the World. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can’t put it out. Every Sunday morning we light the candles on the communion table and acknowledge the presence of God that enlightens our lives. When the service has ended we go out to serve and all week long and light little candles to pierce the darkness, so that Jesus, the light of the world my shine.