Newsletter- Pastor's Paragraphs | Zion Lutheran Church

Paschal Candle

WOW! That is a huge candle! What is it?

Some of you might be asking that question next time you enter the sanctuary and notice the large candle next to the baptismal font. Others, like me, have been asking just the opposite, “Where is the paschal candle?” It was actually one of the first things I noticed when I came to Zion seven years ago. It seemed strange, downright odd, to not have a paschal candle. It was like not having paraments, a pulpit or stain glass windows. I had never seen a Lutheran sanctuary without a paschal candle. Surely we had one. It’s just been misplaced, I thought. But the more I talked with people, the more I realized no one seemed to know what I was referring to.

When I have done baptisms, it’s really awkward to not have the paschal candle there at the font representing the Easter light of the risen Christ, which gives new life to the individual. Traditionally, the pastor lights the smaller baptismal candle from the Paschal candle and then hands it to the family saying, “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” But I had no light of the risen Christ to share.

Thankfully, we have had enough new people join over the years, also asking the same question, “Where’s the paschal candle?” that I felt the time was right to re-introduce the use of this significant liturgical symbol into our worship life. I realize, however, for those who have somehow managed to not notice this missing central element, it may pose questions as to what and why we need one.

Paschal (pronounced pas-kəl) is an adjective meaning “related to Easter or Passover”. It comes from the Greek pascha and the Hebrew pesah, both which mean Passover. Jesus is called the Paschal Lamb and Holy Communion is referred to as the Paschal feast, for example. There is even a Paschal moon in the spring, which determines the date of Easter. So, the Paschal Candle is properly understood as the Easter Candle.

Normally, the tradition is that a new Paschal candle is purchased every year for Easter. The new candle (being rather large) is lit for the first time during the Easter Vigil. Then the candle slowly gets smaller and smaller as it burns down when it is lit on the Sundays of Easter, Baptisms, funerals, and other Feast days through the year. It finally ‘dies’ for Lent and Holy week. Thus, needing to be ‘reborn’ or resurrected on Easter again. This cycle mirrors the liturgical pattern of the life of Christ.

However, I’m pretty frugal and real beeswax candles are extremely expensive. To buy a new one every year is just not practical. So, ours is oil filled just like the ones on the altar. Hopefully that is Ok with everyone. I love tradition and absolutely see the need to have the paschal candle present to symbolize the ‘light of Christ, rising in glory, scattering the darkness of our hearts and minds’ (as it is described on the ELCA’s worship webpage). Using an oil filled candle seems a good compromise. Also, I couldn’t wait for Easter, so we will dedicate our new paschal Candle on Epiphany this year.

For more information, there is an article from the ELCA’s worship resources FAQ, published more than ten years ago on the back table.

Pastor