Consider the Candle: Sharing the Flame

Part 2 of 2 by BJ Armstrong

See also:

• Part 1

As stated a couple of weeks ago, our Advent season centers around candles. The lighting of the Advent candles begin each of our Sunday morning worship services as well as our mid-week services. Each week our candles take on a different symbolic meaning, and each year we apply a different meaning to the different candles. In our article a couple of weeks ago, we considered a simple candle as the symbol of our Christian faith as a whole.

A candle is a perfect illustration of what our Christian faith should be. The wick should not be divided. If it is the forces around the candle (the wax) will eventually bring the wick back together, just as Jesus brings the divisions around Him back together. If our candle is scented and colored, then others could share in the pleasure of our appearance and aroma. And just think, what would happen if we took the flame from our pleasant smelling, colorful candle and held it to the wick of another candle? Of course our candle would pass the flame to the second candle without our flame diminishing in the least little bit. Our original candle loses nothing, but the flame has gained another way to burn and another way to give off light.

As Christians we have to remember that our light is spread in much the same way. Christians have a hard time sharing their flame in this world for many different reasons. Some think they are not smart enough, talented enough, or faithful enough. Some let past failures affect their future successes. But the Bible tells us something different of every Christian. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans: "I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, compete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another." – Romans 15:14. According to Paul, we are all competent to share our flame with each other and those around us; therefore, we should not hesitate, especially around this Christmas season, to proclaim Jesus' name throughout our communities, our families, and our friendships. Sharing our flame does not hurt or mar our original flame at all, rather, it provides another way for Jesus' light to shine throughout the world.

Believe it or not, forces around our candles are trying to extinguish it. Employees at different businesses are encouraged to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Churches are canceling regularly scheduled Sunday morning church services this year because Christmas falls on this day. All around us people are trying to take Jesus out of our communities and out of this holiday that is specifically a celebration for Him. It is time for the light of our candles to shine brightly throughout the world and this light will only shine brighter as we share our flame with others. Our flames need to shine brighter now than ever before. We all have a flame to share. We are all competent to teach others about the love of God and the salvation He has brought us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christmas is a time for sharing. Let us share the flame that will never burn out.