12 Days::Light Your World
It's day five (!) of 12 Days of Holiday Peace!
Light Your World...
There is something about the light from a candle that changes the mood of a room, don't you think? The soft glow of the flickering flame is a bit mesmerizing.
I've been a fan of candles ever since I was about eight years old, and my mom brought home a green sandalwood scented candle and placed in on the mantel in our living room. I never knew anything could smell so good. Many nights at dinner, my mom would set the table and include candles. Having the flame glowing in the center of the table always made the meal last longer...we lingered there, entranced by the soft lights.
When we finally forced ourselves to move on from the meal to homework and dishes and baths and bed, my sister and I would use a candle snuffer to extinguish the flames. Then we'd dip our fingertips in the melted wax, forming red or green or white caps for each fingers.
Later, I experienced candles as symbols: a unity candle at our wedding ceremony, candlelit Christmas Eve services, and candles lit to remember those we love. Find some candles around your house today and light them. Watch how one little flickering flame can change the atmosphere of your home and lift your spirits.
Light the flame "for" someone. Imagine the warmth of the flame as an embrace for someone who needs one, and the rising smoke as a prayer lifted up on behalf of someone you know. Whether you share a meal with others or you dine alone, light candles in the center of the table, and take a minute before you eat to offer up a prayer of peace for each person represented in each flickering light. You might just find yourself lingering there, mesmerized by the glow and wrapped in a growing sense of peace.
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Just reading your posts gave me a sense of peace! I do enjoy candles and candle light. Lovely write-up and I enjoyed reading through your blog:)
Thanks for the reminder of the 'specialness' of candles--and candle lighting.
I will do just that today---light a candle at our evening meal. Candle light always seems to quiet us, especially my children, at the table.
I will also light a candle for someone today as well. Perhaps I'll do this more often, saying a prayer for them for peace.
That photo is spectacular!
We are really into candles at our house right now -- the boys beg me to light them nearly every night, and I'm always happy to comply!
That photo is spectacular!
We are really into candles at our house right now -- the boys beg me to light them nearly every night, and I'm always happy to comply!
I have no idea why my comment popped up twice -- sorry about that!
I love candles -- They are mesmerizing & adds the same glow to everyone at the table. A mini-mimi campfire flame.. Thnx for your visit this week, Deirdra.
I too love candles and so does my husband. He is more apt to light them than I am. Go figure! Anyway, I will light candles tonight for peace and for the many people on my mind and heart this season.
Thank you for reminding me.
Oh gosh, what a happy memory you provided here Deidra...candle snuffers and putting fingers in the melted wax...how fun that was as it "molded" to the fingers and then you could peel it off!! Simple pleasures.
I love candlelight, not just for what it creates as a mood in the room but for what it creates within me. A sense of pure peace.
Tonight when I light my candles I will whisper prayers of peace and comfort for those in need. ♥
I love the photo. Candles really do help to soften the mood or provide peace sometimes...thanks for the reminder. I don't light candles on our dining room table enough. I'm going to do it tonight though.
Thanks,
Jackie
I love lighting candles of all types. They look good, feel good and add to the cheer of a room. I think everyone likes them. They add a special something, something spiritual to people.
Before I do this one, I'm going to have to make my peace with candles. I love how they look but have a fear of fire - can't leave a candle on when I leave a room.
But I do remember candle snuffers when I was a child!
I just LOVE your idea to light a candle FOR someone! I will do it!!! You were brave young girls to stick your little fingers in hot wax... early hot wax treatment!! :D
Fire has a mesmerizing effect when it's softly burning. I feel at peace and relaxed when the fireplace is burning or when candles are lit. We have candles throughout the house and light them every day. Not only do they smell great but they bring out a special type of ambiance that feels good.
I laughed at the candle wax on the fingers. My sister and I did that too. We used to call them our fake fingernails. LOL
What a great idea. I have candles around the house, but haven't lit them in a while. My baby girl LOVES eating by candle light, that would be a real treat.
Thanks for stopping by my site. I'm following you as well.
I don't remember to light candles very often and have decided that needs to change. They really do make things so much more special.
Thank you for sharing your lovely ideas.
You are SO right... it seems there is a magic in that little flickering light! I love it!! What a great post!
Candles bring such peace to their surroundings. We have a red candle in an old antique holder that we light when all the girls and their families come for dinners. I always lit candles after a prayer for the girls when they were either on their way home or back to college. They candles stayed lit until they either walked in the door home or I got that call that they'd returned to school safely.
And they're a vital part of my daily prayer and meditation time. I don't know what I'd substitute for them if I couldn't burn them.
Thanks for yet another wonderful post. I look forward to each one.
I have fire issues so lighting a candle in my house is not always peaceful. But I love lighting candles in church and saying a prayer for someone. When we were in Italy and visited a million churches I went broke lighting candles. It was peaceful and really meaningful to me.Have a wonderful weekend! Safe travels for your last bird making it home safely.
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