A Festival of Lights, Sort of

St. Timothy's did not have a Festival of Lights service this year on Epiphany as we have had previously. That got me thinking about doing a time with the youth on Wednesday night (last night) where we experienced themes of light and darkness. I spent much of the afternoon yesterday preparing the youth room, removing chairs, setting up candles, putting up black sheets around the room, etc. My goal was to create the right atmosphere to best bring out the contrast of light and dark. My room was not completely set up but was most of the way ready when I had to get ready for youth band practice.

Band practice ends at 6pm, which gives us all just enough time to grab a plate during the Wednesday dinners, and would have allowed me that extra 10 minutes needed to arrange everything perfectly back in the youth room. that would not be the case on this night. As we were finishing up youth band in the chapel and packing everything up the lights went out. Just like that we went from joking and having a good time to a sense of frustration at the audacity of the electricity to go out as it had. We had all frozen in place and then each of us pulled out our cell phones to give us some light so we could find our way out of the chapel. I had figured that the power would be out across the campus, but didn't really think about all the people eating dinner in now dark Drake Hall, until we started walking down that way. as soon as we entered Drake, I took a look inside and realized that people were all still calmly sitting at their tables, however you could feel the tension rising in the room.

As I was looking into the room, a couple of the youth were walking out and I told them to come with me. We went into the youth room, where I had previously set out 20-25 candles and had two lighters waiting the be used. I started lighting candles and they didn't need to be told what to do. One of the boys picked up the other lighter and started lighting as well. After we had lit more than we could each carry, we made our way back into the big room where the vast majority of people were still sitting. Some people had found flashlights and people in the room were using their cell phones as light, as I had done in the chapel. That was the light in the room as we walked in carrying candles. We quickly started placing candles in the middle of tables where people were sitting and then left to get more. This time we were followed by several other people who helped carry light back into Drake. After a few minutes each table had at least one candle, and most had two.

The symbolism and significance of what happened last night was not lost on me. Even though we were acting quickly simply to get candles into Drake, we were in essence holding a festival of light unknown to us. I can imagine the people at dinner were talking, laughing, eating, and general enjoying themselves, and then darkness happened. I was told that several of the kids screamed (including some of the youth), and for a split second it must have been a bit scary for everyone. If not scary, than irritating at the least. While people were sitting in darkness into the room comes light. First flashlights, which shone specifically where they were pointed. Then came the candles, which gave a soft light where ever they were set. People were once again at ease, the tension began to slowly dissipate. By the time most people left, a feeling of peace had settled over Drake. Without any liturgy, we had lived out and experienced a festival of lights and we didn't even realize it.

There is more I can draw out of this situation. As we carried candles into Drake hall, we were bringing light into the dark. Looked at from a biblical perspective, that’s what evangelism is. Sharing the good news is simply being willing to carry your candle and set it down at someone else’s table so that they also can see. While those in darkness in the world around us are worried, anxious, irritated, and for all practical purposes blind, we have been entrusted with a light to share with them. That is our calling as Christians, to live our lives so that perhaps a few more people can see God clearer and a little more light will have entered this world.

Matthew 5:14-16: You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Your light has filled our lives,
But we have not shared it with others.
Lord, have mercy on us.
You have marked us as your own in baptism,
But we have not lived as your faithful people.
Christ, have mercy on us.
You have called us to be a light to the nations,
But we have hidden our light under a bushel.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Transform us by the power of your Holy Spirit
So that we may live out our baptism
As your new cration,
Forgiven and made whole by your matchless love
In Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanks be to God! Amen.