What is the difference between the Christ Candle and the Paschal Candle?
Christ Candle
A white candle that some congregations place in the center of the Advent Wreath
It is not an ELCA established practice
There is no historical purpose – used by some congregations for their own purpose
There is no liturgical purpose
It is lit on Christmas Day (not Christmas Eve) and during the weeks of Christmas when the Advent Wreath is used
There is no provision for use outside being part of the Advent Wreath
Paschal Candle
It represents Christ’s triumph over the darkness of sin and death.
It is renewed each year at the Vigil of Easter (Saturday before Resurrection Sunday):
which begins in darkness, symbolic of the darkness of the sepulcher that held the crucified Christ
where a new fire is kindled, representing the Risen Christ, the Light of the World
it is lit from this new fire
It is used:
during 50 days of Easter; the period from Easter Sunday through the Day of Pentecost
at Baptisms (placed near the Baptismal Font), the candle presented to the baptized is lit from the Paschal Candle
at Funerals (placed near the head of the casket) as a reminder that “In our Baptism we have already died and been raised with Christ.” (Romans 6:3-5)
after the Day of Pentecost, the unlit Paschal Candle is placed near the Baptismal Font as a visual reminder that in our Baptism we are crucified and resurrected with Christ.
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