LIGHT ANOTHER CANDLE feature
Spirituality & Theology

Light Another Candle




Just after Thanksgiving, a lady from my high school, a friend on Facebook, posted a picture of a flickering candle with a message which said, “In memory of all the loved ones who cannot be with us this holiday season.” A carillon played an endearing melody. She asked us to comment “Amen” if we agreed.

This brought to mind a little song I had written many years ago which I thought might be used at the holidays when people were lighting candles to celebrate the season. I decided to post it as my comment. The words of the song go like this:

Light another candle now,

Light one more for me.

In the darkness let it shine,

For all the world to see.

That I am there beside you now

Wherever I may be.

For in the dark is burning bright

The flame of memory.

Every year at All Souls, we hold a Holiday Memorial Chapel where those who have lost a loved one in the last year can light a candle in their memory—wherever they may be. On Christmas Eve there are not one, but three traditional candle lighting ceremonies, complete with the Christmas Story and carols sung by the choirs. The younger cherubs sing at the first service, the older children at the second, and the youth at the third. The last is my favorite. Not only is it dark, so the candles show up best, but the alumni of the youth choir join in to sing O, How a Rose, one of my favorite carols.

Won’t one join in lighting another candle now and saying “Amen”?


Christmas Eve Candlelight Services are open to all and the three services will live streamed on our website, central standard time. 

All Souls Annual Candlelight services are held every Christmas Eve for our members, families, and friends. Our Candlelight services are for everyone, for all faiths and non-faiths, to celebrate together—united as one. Enjoy incredible choir performances at these intergenerational services in which we will transform the All Souls Sanctuary with the soft glow of candlelight. Families are encouraged to bring cookies to share at the Wassail and Cookie receptions following the 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. services.

We hold three candlelight services to reflect, pray together, and to celebrate our one, human family.  

Cherub Choir and YAVE | 4:30 p.m.
Children’s Choir and Adult Choir | 6 p.m.
Youth Choir and Alumni | 7:30 p.m.


Sid Martin is a valuable member of All Souls’ and a regular contributor to beyondbelief.online. Sid asks us to Listen to each other and shares about foundation of All Souls in The Meaning of Love Beyond Belief.

2 Comments

  1. I really love the candlelight service, and it is a service that lets me feel close to my God, and that it is truly Christmas.
    I came to my first candlelight service when I was 6, in 1966 with my mom and dad. My mom is gone, now, but my dad and I came several years ago.
    When I’m able to be there, it is a real special occasion. That service is holy, and brings joy to my heart.
    Thank you for doing it every year.
    Love,
    Paula Kempe

    1. Thank you for sharing you sweet and loving memories with us Paula. <3

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