Meaning of the Peace Candle in Advent
The peace candle, often associated with Advent, has roots in Jewish tradition and biblical symbolism. The Hebrew word for candle or lamp, "ner" (נֵר), appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often symbolizing prosperity, guidance, or a Christian example [1].
In Jewish tradition, lighting candles is a significant act, particularly on the Sabbath and during festivals like Hanukkah. Maimonides notes the importance of lighting a lamp for one's home, emphasizing its role in promoting peace within the household [4]. This practice is echoed in the Christian tradition, where the peace candle is sometimes used during Advent to symbolize peace and preparation for the coming of Christ.
The concept of peace is closely tied to the biblical notion of the "peace offering" or "thank offering," described in Leviticus 3. This sacrifice was a voluntary tribute of gratitude for health or other benefits, symbolizing reconciliation and communion between God and his people [2, 9]. The peace offering was characterized by its festive nature and the sharing of the offering between God, the priest, and the offerer, signifying a shared meal and fellowship [5].
In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as the bringer of peace, though not in the simplistic sense of worldly harmony. Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27) [3]. This peace is distinct from the world's understanding of peace, emphasizing a deeper, spiritual peace.
The symbolism of candles and light is also significant in the biblical context. The menorah, a seven-branched candlestick, is a prominent symbol in Jewish worship, representing the light of God and the presence of God among his people. In Zechariah 4, a candlestick with seven lamps is described, symbolizing the church and the light of the Gospel [6, 8].
The peace candle in Advent, therefore, can be seen as a symbol of the peace that Christ brings, as well as a reminder of the biblical and Jewish traditions that underlie Christian practices. It represents a call to prepare for the coming of Christ by cultivating peace, both personally and communally.
The early Christian fathers also associated light and candles with spiritual illumination and the presence of Christ. Clement of Alexandria writes about the importance of knowledge and illumination, using the imagery of light to describe the inner transformation of the believer [7].
The use of the peace candle during Advent serves as a reminder of the biblical themes of peace, light, and preparation for the coming of Christ, drawing on both Jewish and Christian traditions [1, 4, 5].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Candle — Heb. ner, Job 18:6; 29:3; Ps. 18:28; Prov. 24:20, in all which places the Revised Version and margin of Authorized Version have "lamp," by which the word is elsewhere frequently rendered. The Hebrew word denotes properly any kind of candle or lamp or torch. It is used as a figure of conscience (Prov. 20:27), of a Christian example (Matt. 5:14, 15), and of prosperity (Job 21:17; Prov. 13:9).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Thank Offering, Or Peace Offering — the properly eucharistic offering among the Jews, in its theory resembling the meat offering and therefore indicating that the offerer was already reconciled to and in covenant with God. Its ceremonial is described in (Leviticus 3:1) ... The peace offerings, unlike other sacrifices, were not ordained to be offered in fixed and regular course. The only constantly-recurring peace offering appears to have been that of the two firstling lambs at Pentecost. (Leviticus 23:19) The general principle of the peace offering seems to have been ”
- John “Pacem relinquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis : non quomodo mundus dat, ego do vobis. Non turbetur cor vestrum, neque formidet. -- John 14:27”
- Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Scroll of Esther and Hanukkah 4:14: If [a person has the opportunity to fulfill only one of two mitzvot,] lighting a lamp for one's home [i.e., Sabbath candles] 1 Perhaps the Rambam uses the expression "lighting a lamp for one's home," rather than the expression "the Sabbath lamp" to emphasize that the focus is on how the Sabbath lamp leads to peace in the home. or lighting a Chanukah lamp 2 or, alternatively, lighting a lamp for one's home or reciting kiddush - It is questionable why the Rambam mentions the latter law in Hilchot Chanukah when both ”
- Leviticus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Leviticus 3:1: The burnt-offerings had regard to God as in himself the best of beings, most perfect and excellent; they were purely expressive of adoration, and therefore were wholly burnt. But the peace-offerings had regard to God as a benefactor to his creatures, and the giver of all good things to us; and therefore these were divided between the altar, the priest, and the owner. Peace signifies, 1. Reconciliation, concord, and communion. And so these were called peace-offerings, because in them God and his people did, as it were, feast together, in token of friendship. The ”
- Zechariah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zechariah 4:2: And said unto me, What seest thou?.... That is, after he was awake, and had looked about him: And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold; such an one as was in the tabernacle of Moses, only with this difference; that had no bowl on the top, nor seven pipes to it, nor two olive trees on each side of it, with two pipes to them, Exo 25:31 such a candlestick was never in being, only in vision; and is an emblem of the church of Christ, into which the light of the Gospel is put by Christ, and held forth by it, and especially by its ministers; see Re”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. XI.--HOW GREAT ARE THE BENEFITS CONFERRED ON MAN THROUGH THE ADVENT OF (part 4): is, the heart; and let the beams of knowledge arise to reveal and irradiate the hidden inner man, the disciple of the Light, the familiar friend and fellow-heir of Christ; especially now that we have come to know the most precious and venerable name of the good Father, who to a pious and good child gives gentle counsels, and commands what is salutary for His child. He who obeys Him has the advantage in all things, follows God, obeys ”
- Zechariah (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Zechariah 4:2: A candlestick all of gold - This candlestick is formed in some measure after that of the sanctuary, Exo 25:31, Exo 25:32 : but in that of the sanctuary there was no bowl, nor seven pipes, nor seven lamps, nor the two olive trees. The two olive trees were to supply the bowl with oil; the bowl was to communicate the oil to the seven pipes; and the seven pipes were to supply the seven lamps. In general, the candlestick, its bowl, pipes, lamps, and olive trees, are emblems of the pure service of God, and the grace and salvation to be enjoyed by his true worshippers. T”
- Leviticus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Leviticus 3 (introduction): THE PEACE OFFERING OF THE HERD. (Lev. 3:1-17) if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering--"Peace" being used in Scripture to denote prosperity and happiness generally, a peace offering was a voluntary tribute of gratitude for health or other benefits. In this view it was eucharistic, being a token of thanksgiving for benefits already received, or it was sometimes votive, presented in prayer for benefits wished for in the future. of the herd--This kind of offering being of a festive character, either male or female, if without bl”