On Them a Light Has Shined

We are the light of the world, and at no time are we more aware of this truth than at Christmas.

Why candles? As we mount the pulpit to preach on Christmas Eve, there’s a fair likelihood that most of our listeners will be holding candles or have them at hand. Because candles are such a big part of the evening’s proceedings, here — in the interests of science — are a few fun facts about them:

Candles are composed of two parts: a plaited wick of cotton yarn treated with boric acid and other chemicals, and a cylinder of wax. When you light a candle, heat from the flame melts the wax, which is pulled up the wick by capillary action and vaporized. Hydrocarbon molecules are then released into the air, along with particles of soot — which are themselves rich in carbon, because they have a relatively low hydrogen-to-carbon ratio.

That may be more about candles than you ever wanted to know!

Our people faithfully turn out for candlelight services, year after year, but not because they’re interested in candles. Candles are wonderful for scenting a room ...