Twelve Powers of Bethlehem Candle Lighting Service

I have always felt the Twelve Powers Candlelight service found in the Wings of Spirit hymnal is a good idea, but making it about Jesus and the disciples doesn't work for a Christmas Eve service. That discipled-based ceremony might work well at Pentecost, which celebrates the birth of the Church. What we need is a version which actually speaks to the Christman holiday. So, here's my adaptation of the basic 12-P format, keyed to the figures of the Nativity scene.

DrTom

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Twelve Powers of Bethlehem Candle Lighting Service[1]

 1.  Baby Jesus - Life  (red candle)

 Acolyte:  The red candle represents Life, which we light for the baby Jesus. 

 Narrator:  His birth is the reason we light candles every holiday season, for Jesus was like a candle in a dark world. Whenever we think of Christmas, all thoughts flow toward his birth. Light from light, Jesus demonstrates the universal Divine Presence, and through him we see the image of God in everyone. Every cradle is a manger, and every child is the Christ, the Buddha, the Lord, the One Presence and One Power expressed in one solitary life.

 2.  Mary – Faith  (dark blue candle)

 Acolyte:  This candle represents Faith, which we light for Mary, the mother of Jesus.

 

Narrator:  According to the Gospel of Luke, when confronted by the Divine commission to give birth to and nurture the Christ-child, this ordinary young woman responded with extraordinary words of trusting faith:

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.[2]

3.  Joseph – Understanding (gold candle)

 Acolyte:  This candle represents the golden light of Understanding, which we light for Joseph, the father of Jesus and husband to Mary.

 Narrator:  With an understanding heart, Joseph accepted his role in the amazing circumstances we celebrate this season. The gospels report that, after the angel choirs had adjourned to heaven and the Wise Men returned to their far-off lands, it was Joseph who remained as father and guardian of a child whose life would change the world. In quiet ways, by acts of unsung courage, he demonstrated a keen understanding of the dangers and joys of life, and always acted from the highest principles for the greatest good.

 4.  Bethlehem – Power (purple candle)

 Acolyte:  This candle represents Power, which we light for the little town of Bethlehem.

 Narrator:  Purple is the ancient color or kings and emperors. Prophets had foretold that the Promised One would come from Bethlehem, the place where the powerful King David had been born. Yet the power which Bethlehem represents is far greater than the might of armies. Bethlehem means “house of bread” in Hebrew, and one day the child born that night would challenge all people to feed the hungry, and clothe the needy, and comfort the afflicted. By the words of power which he brought, Jesus taught humankind to affirm the Power and Presence of God in all circumstances. The power of that affirmation will heal the sick, lift the poor out of poverty, and transform the world into a commonwealth of peace.

 5.  Shepherds – Love  (pink candle)

 Acolyte:  This candle represents Love, which we light for the shepherds.

 Narrator:  These were simple folk, not kings in their palaces. Yet, the Gospel of Luke says the birth of the Christ Child was announced to them as “good news of great joy for all the people.”[3] They responded with eagerness, and when they knelt before the manger their hearts were filled with divine Love. “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.” This is the way of love. Open and receptive, simple and straightforward, full of joy and praise.

 6. Prophets and Herald Angels – Zeal  (orange candle)

Acolyte:  This candle represents Zeal, which we light for Prophets and Herald Angels.

Narrator:  The Prophet Isaiah had written: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”[4] Luke reports that angelic voices rang out that dark night, announcing the holy birth. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’”[5] Jesus would tell the people that God favors everyone. Isaiah the Prophet and the Herald Angels conspired to give us a vision of heaven and earth united by the power of Zeal.

 

7.  The Manger – Order  (dark green)

Acolyte:  This dark green candle represents Divine Order, which we light in memory of the Manger.

Narrator:  Jesus has been called “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords.” Yet, when it was time for him to be born, his desperate parents converted an animal food trough into a makeshift cradle. As Luke writes, she “wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”[6] This simple action shows God working through all circumstances. Looking at the manger in the Christmas crèche offers a visual symbol of the balance and harmony flowing through the Universe. Even when circumstances appear desperate, we can access that flow of good through exercising our trust in Divine Order.

8. Wise Men - Wisdom  (yellow candle)

 Acolyte:  This candle yellow represents the flame of Wisdom, which we light for the Wise Men.

Narrator:  Many people saw the star, but the Gospel of Matthew says only the Wise Men from the East chose to act on their vision. The power of Wisdom is the guiding light that gives us the right decision when we trust the Christ within. With this candle we remember the good judgment shown by wise men and wise women throughout the ages who have found the way to their inner Christ.

9.  The Star of Bethlehem – Imagination  (light blue candle)

Acolyte:  This light blue candle represents Imagination, which we light in memory of the Star which led the Magi to Bethlehem.

 Narrator:  The Gospel of Matthew says Wise Men followed that star until it came to rest over Bethlehem, where they found the Christ. But this legend is not only meant for long-ago people of an ancient world.  The star represents the ability to create new ideas and set them in motion. Ralph Waldo Emerson told people to “hitch your wagon to a star.” This is the power to see through appearances to the inner, eternal Truth of every circumstance. With the eyes of Imagination, the Magi found their Christ by following a star, and we can use our power of Imagination to join their quest until we discover the Christ within everyone.

10. Gold – Strength  (light green candle)

 Acolyte:  This candle represents Strength, which we light in memory of the gift of gold.

Narrator:  The first gift the Magi gave the baby Jesus was gold, which represents the kingly nature of Jesus, his prosperity consciousness and his ability to perform all necessary tasks. It is appropriate that the color of monetary currency today is often light green, like this candle. Whatever is true about Jesus is true about everyone. Spiritual Strength is the true gold of existence, the energy of God flowing through us. Gold also symbolizes the gifts of God, which strengthen us during times of difficulty and give us the ability to share our time, talent and treasure with others.

11. Frankincense – Will  (silver gray candle)

 Acolyte:  This silver candle represents Will, which we light in memory of the gift of frankincense.

Narrator:  Because frankincense was an incense of the temple, it represents the divine nature of Jesus, which is the Christ that dwells within everyone. The power of Will has been called “the executive faculty of the mind.”[7] To allow more and more of the Christ to express through us takes an act of Will, the willingness to name and claim our divine heritage. “The Will is the center in mind and body around which revolve all the activities that constitute consciousness. It is the avenue through which the I AM expresses its potentiality.”[8]

12. Myrrh - Renunciation or Elimination  (russet candle)

 Acolyte:  This russet brown candle represents Renunciation, which we light in memory of the gift of myrrh. 

Narrator:  This candle points to the human nature of Jesus. In biblical times, myrrh was a perfume used to prepare bodies for burial. It represents the power to let go and let God, to recognize we are in good hands when we trust God. Jesus, who was born in a manger, would die on a cross. Yet his teachings have changed billions of lives for the better. If he was able to let go and let God, so can we. As we celebrate the birth of the Christ child this night, we release any thoughts of lack or limitation and turn our lives over to God’s guidance, knowing in every circumstance God is within us, we are in God, and all is well.

 Pastoral Prayer

Passing the Light / “Silent Night”

 

Ushers light candles from the Christ Candle, then spread the light to the congregation. Should be done in low light for maxiumum effect. Congregation sings "Silent Night" during the candlelighting.

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Suggested directions: Each Acolyte comes forward and says: “This candle represents _____, which we light for _________.” (Or something equivalent.)

 Then the Narrator(s) read the brief passage about the significance of that candle. Alternatively, participants could read both Acolyte and Narrator passages, which will require rehearsal and usually take more service time. 

Music underscoring the ceremony should be soft, dignified and evocative of the holiday.

 

Completing the Ritual: Passing the Light / Silent Night: After the twelve candles are lit, the ceremony concludes with “passing the light” until all hand-held candles in the congregation are lighted. The congregation sings “Silent Night” during the community candle lighting.[9]

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[1] Based on the nativity found in Matthew and Luke, plus Charles Fillmore’s Twelve Powers.

[2] Luke 1:41-49  (All biblical references NRSV)

[3] Luke 2:10

[4] Isaiah 9:6-7

[5] Luke 2:13

[6] Luke 2:7

[7] Charles Fillmore, The Revealing Word, 209.

[8] Ibid., 209-210.

[9] Any religious group may present this service freely if properly attributed to the author. [c] Thomas W. Shepherd, 2011.