Creating a new Lenten tradition - Extinguish candles during the holy season

By Donna Frischknecht Jackson | Presbyterians Today

Many Presbyterians are familiar with the lighting of an Advent wreath in December to mark the weeks that are passing as they journey to the holy night when Christ was born. Week by week, a candle is lit, symbolizing hope, peace, joy and love. The increasing brightness of light from the candles speaks of the promise that the darkness wherein the people have walked will give way to the divine light coming into the world. It’s a joyous time to light those candles, and those who incorporate this practice into the Advent season find it an enriching spiritual moment.

Now, Presbyterians are being introduced to a Lenten practice that takes its cue from the Advent wreath — only rather than lighting a candle weekly, the Lenten “wreath” extinguishes a candle weekly. According to the Rev. Audrey Hartness Reese, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, the dimming of light during the season of Lent reminds people that this 40-day journey is leading to the cross of Good Friday.

Reese brought this tradition of extinguishing Lenten candles to her Westminster, South Carolina, congregation when she joined them as pastor in 2014. It was an idea she learned during her time as a Christian educator at Sunrise Presbyterian Church on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.

For Westminster’s congregation, a wooden base to hold the Lenten candles was crafted by a church member, Robert McMillian. McMillian, said Reese, made sure the dimensions of the candle base equaled 33 inches — 33 reflecting Jesus’ lifespan. Six purple candles, purple being the penitent color for Lent, are then placed on the base. The seventh candle — white, representing Christ’s holiness — is added to the mix.

On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent, where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent, each week gets progressively darker until there is complete darkness on Good Friday. Only the Christ candle remains lit. That is not extinguished but removed from the display during worship. It will return Easter morning.

Reese says the candle presentation is like that of a Tenebrae service taking place not in one evening, but over the course of the Lenten season.

Donna Frischknecht Jackson is editor of Presbyterians Today.

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Making a Lenten “wreath”

There are many ways to bring this practice to a congregation, which can be done in person or shared online. A wreath can be made, placing the six candles on a circular base and then adorning the base with flowers or other greenery. The seventh candle, the Christ candle, is placed in the middle of the circle. Beyond the wreath, others have created a Lenten candle journey using a wooden base to hold the lights. Seven votive candles can also be used and placed in a tray of sand — the sand symbolizing the desert wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days in preparation for his ministry. The votive candles can be placed in a straight line or displayed in the shape of a cross.