The Christmas holiday includes many traditions, some of which involve candles. During Christmas, candles (usually white pillars or tapers) are carried by carolers, and placed in windows and on the branches of Christmas trees. Similar customs involving candles have been practiced within other non-Christian holidays, dating back to the ancient Romans.
The facts
According to Edna Barth and Ursula Arndt, "Lighted candles are symbols, not only of Christmas, but of Easter and birthdays, too. Some form of light has marked all man's occasions of joy."
"Centuries before the birth of Jesus, people lighted torches as well as bonfires at their winter solstice rites. The ancient Scandinavians built fires to defy the Frost King."
Saturnalia
Many of the Christmas candle traditions practiced by Christians can be traced to the use of candles during the ancient Roman Saturnalia festival, a pagan celebration devoted to the Roman god Saturn.
During the Roman Saturnalia festival, the candle's light was symbolic of Saturn's light. Romans greeted one another while holding tall candle tapers, just as some Christian sects greet one another in church during Christmas ceremonies.
Candles in Windows
According to Barth and Arndt, "People in the Middle Ages put lighted candles in their windows on Christmas Eve to guide the Christ Child on his way. No stranger was turned away. For--who knew--he might be the Christ Child in disguise."
The custom of placing a candle in the window during the Christmas season is still kept by modern day Christians, who instead, place electric Christmas candle replicas in their windows.
Candles on the Christmas Tree
While present day Christians place electric strands of lights on Christmas trees, it was once a popular practice to place candles on the tree. During the Victorian period, many Christians began placing candles on the Christmas tree. The candle's flame was considered to be symbolic of the star that guided the three wise men to Jesus.
Again, this custom can be connected to the Roman's use of candles during Saturnalia. "At the Saturnalia the Romans put lighted candles on small trees in honor of Saturn, who ruled their crops," Barth says.
Religious Ceremony
Christmas candles also play an important role in some church ceremonies. It is a widespread practice to light a white candle during Christmas Eve church services. While the candle is lit, church members say a prayer.
The candlelight, in this tradition, symbolically represents the light of God.
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