Christmas Traditions: Candles

The burning of candles is a tradition which originated with the Roman celebration of Saturnalia and the Jewish Feast of the Dedication, both which occurred near the end of December. Christians borrowed the custom and made the light of the candle a symbol of Jesus Christ being the Light of the World. Christ admonished his believers to hold up their light “that it may shine unto the world” and that he was light which they should hold up (see 3 Nephi 18:24).

The Old Norse Yule celebrations used the candle as a promise that light would return to the cold, dark winter world of Scandinavia. The candle today plays a key role in the Swedish Christmas celebration of St. Lucia, a tradition originating from the story of the Italian virgin saint who was martyred. The Swedish version goes that during the early days of Christian persecution, St. Lucia risked her life to bring food to fellow Christians in hiding in unlit tunnels. She would light the way with a wreath that she wore on her head containing lit candles. In the same manner, her representatives today promise the return of light to the land. On December 13th, St. Lucia, dressed in white and wearing a crown of candles, leads a procession of candle and star bearers, singing carols and offering yuletide treats to family and friends. This officially begins the Swedish Christmas season.

German legend has it that it was Martin Luther who first introduced the candle-lit tree to German homes, although it may have originated with the custom of indoor trees, which began in the Alsace region of France.

For over a thousand years, candles have been lit on Christmas Eve in churches and homes to welcome the Christ child. People in many countries observe the custom to light advent candles on the four Sundays prior to and including Christmas Eve. One candle is lit on the first Sunday, two on the second, etc. The word “advent” means coming, thus candles are lit in preparation of the coming of Christmas.

An old Irish candle custom is to set lit candles in windows and leave the doors unlocked on Christmas Eve in hopes that a priest traveling by would be welcomed to enter and celebrate the holiday, or be guided safely home at night. This is similar to the old Celtic tradition on All Hallow’s Eve, or Halloween, to set lit candles inside carved gourds to light the way for dead saints and spirits passing by.