Merging is a New Journey - Candle Candle! (Happy Memories Part 5)

 

So many memories, so many topics one could discuss.  But thanks to the organist at PUMC (Thanks Stephen!!), I was able to focus in on a specific memory for this week.

The Advent Song!

For so many years, as I am sure other churches have done, after the Advent candle was lit each week, there was the singing of a verse (or more) of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."  However, when Pastor Dorsey was appointed to our church, she introduced us to The Advent Song (see image), found in The Faith We Sing page 2090.  Each week we would either sing the verse that went with the candle being lit, or we would sing the first verse week one, verses 1 and 2 on week two, and so on.

However, the refrain was sung every week, whether we sang one verse or more than one verse.  "Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night.  Candle, candle burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light."

It kind of gets stuck in your head.  But it is such a pretty song and it was a welcome change.  Not that "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a bad song.  But it is nice to be able to use that as a hymn and have something else for candle lighting.

In our family, we call the song "Candle Candle" because one day when we were out to dinner or something, when Anastasia was little, she suddenly started randomly singing, "Caaandle, Caaandle..."

So yesterday, while we were doing virtual worship, the Advent reading was pre-recorded and the pastor lit the candles (3 of them).  And while that was going on, the Advent Song was playing.  I immediately sent a message to my sister:

CANDLE CANDLE

It was such a joy to hear that song again.  It has been a couple years since we last heard it.  But it brought back such great memories.  Of Advent.  Of the church at Christmas.  Of red ribbons and white ribbons.  Of greens.  Of filling the advent candles with oil.  Of lighting the candles.  Of taking pictures week after week to use the images of the candles lit for Facebook.  Of how pretty the church was at Christmas.  Of Chrismon ornaments, ones that were made a long time ago by my dad when he taught Sunday School and new when one was made in honor of Anastasia.  Of all the candles lit on Christmas Eve.  Of singing Advent and Christmas hymns.  Of celebrating Christ's birth.

CANDLE!  CANDLE!