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Show Candles Light the Way Throughout the Ages Although it has been said there was no candle to light the manger in the stable at Bethlehem, still from early times people have placed tapers in windows to light the way for the Christ Child and welcome iHim. In many countries, anyone any-one coming to the door at Christmastime was invited to enter. For some believed that Christ Himself would appear at a house with a candle, concealing his identity, iden-tity, to learn the extent of their kindness. Candles have inspired men throughout the ages, linking their bright glow with the beauty of faith. Research by Hallmark candle can-dle expert John Sinjem reveals re-veals that candles were generally used at Christmastime Christ-mastime as far back as the 11th Century. Until the 18th Century they were made primarily from tallow or beeswax. The latter was preferred, as an emblem of Mary's purity, for wax Is the product of virgin bees. Many persons believed that bees came from heaven, and it was not unusual for religious reli-gious institutions to keep swarms, of them. According to an early writer, the wax represented Christ's body; the wick, His soul; and the flame His divine nature. The religious symbolism of the candle grew through the centuries after early Christians, huddled in the damp chiil catacombs of Rome, used lighted candles as a source of comfort. |