Last Thursday our "group" met for beeswax candle dipping. I haven't done this with a group in many years now - it is a wonderful experience. I plan a pathway for everyone to follow after their dip - out of the kitchen and around the dining room table, for instance. This helps keep everyone organized. I also started the youngest first and let the older group model some homemade modeling beewax - they were quite content while the younger group got a start on their candles. Then I called over for more candle dippers once the younger ones got started. We had an age span of 3 to 14 and a good time was had by all. The warm kitchen and the small wonderful smell of the beewax does good for one's soul when the weather has been cold and icy.
On February 2nd - my children took their candles and began to decorate them using the thin sheets of decorating wax. A little goes a long way. Without any prompting they chose many symbols of our faith to put on their candles. Aidan wanted help with a figure of Jesus holding the cup - which I was happy to help with - but then he says to me "Now how about some people around Jesus - you could make them small..." I knew what he was getting at. "Aidan," I said, "We are not going to fit the entire Last Supper on this small candle!" Katie also made some lovely candles with wax flowers using some basic beeswax punches. When our candles were ready - we set up our festival table for a little table top play. Decorating wax and punches can be found here.
I adapted a play that was written by W.M. von Heider that was intended more for Christmas time - I rewrote the verses but had to thank the original author who sparked my imagination so with out further ado we present...
On Candlemas Day
We are the gnomesWho tend the good brown earth
Where there are rocks and stones
And cracks filled with soil;
The good brown earth
Snowdrops
We are the flowers
The first of many to follow
That root deep in the soil
Twixt the cracks in the rocks
In the good brown earth
Bees
We are the bees
That make wax and honey
From summer flowers
That root deep in the soil
Twixt the cracks in the rocks
In the good brown earth
Sorry I don't have a picture of the children - my children took the part of the children!
Children
We are the children
Who have melted the wax
To make the candles
A gift from the bees
That gather the wax and honey
From summer flowers
That root deep in the soil
Twixt the cracks in the rocks
In the good brown earth.
Angels
We are the angels
From heaven above;
Both day and night
We watch over the children
Who have melted the wax
To make the candles
A gift from the bees
That gather wax and honey
From summer flowers
That root deep in the soil
Twixt the cracks in the rocks
In the good brown earth
Mary
I am Mary, the mother meek and mild,
Mary, the mother of the Holy Child;
Now kindle your candles
And remember this day
When at the Temple, I presented
Two turtles doves and my sweet Babe.
Light your candles and remember
The Light of World
whose birth was beheld
By angels from heaven above
Who both day and night
Watch over the children,
Who have melted the wax
To make the candles
A gift from the bees
That gather wax and honey
From summer flowers
That root deep in the soil
Twixt the cracks in the rocks
In the good brown earth.
After the little "play" we took the Candle Blessing from the Rural Life Prayerbook
Blessing of Candles
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who has made heaven and earth.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, bless these candles at our request. By virtue of the holy cross, Lord, pour upon them the virtue of Your heavenly blessing. You have given them to mankind to drive away the dark. May they, at this sign of the cross, receive such blessing that wherever they may be lit or placed, the princes of darkness may depart and be afraid and fly in fear from those houses with all their helpers. Nor may they dare again to trouble or bother those who serve You, almighty God, who live and are King for ever and ever
R. Amen.
(And they are sprinkled with holy water.)
Ordinarily I would have taken them to Mass in the morning and asked our priest to bless the candles but it just was not happening! But we enjoyed our own little candle blessing and will keep the candles for meal times and prayer.
