The Kindling of Fire: Easter Eve: Saturday 31st March

The Kindling of Fire: Easter Eve: Saturday 31^st March

From around the fourth century C.E. there has been a tradition in some churches of bringing new light into the sanctuary at the end of the Easter Eve vigil. A fire was started outside the church building and used to light the Paschal Candle, which was then brought in procession into the church and everyone present used it to light smaller candles, so that the light spread from the central source throughout the congregation. While this was being done, the third century Greek hymn Φῶς Ἱλαρόν (Phos Hilaron), one of the oldest known hymns, was often sung, and has subsequently been variously translated. The ceremony was known as the Lucernarium, the term also being applied to the bringing of candles or a lamp to a domestic table for the family evening meal.

The liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am always pleased to hear from people who have used them. And I'm again posting this early so that if you wish to use all or any part of it, you have time to prepare.

The short liturgy, below, is appropriate for use by any group of people, especially those who gathered for Tenebrae, to which it is a counter-balance. It would be good to hold this ceremony as late as possible on Easter Eve, following it by a very late supper. If possible arrange the chairs around a table. Those who were at Tenebrae will hopefully have remembered to bring their small candles with them; otherwise a small candle should be provided for each person present, along with the large central candle previously used. If it is safe to do so, you will need material for a small bonfire. Please exercise common sense – don't leave anything burning without supervision, and ensure everyone's safety. Everyone is invited to join in saying the responsive words in bold type.

You can also, of course, use this liturgical ritual on your own: it is good to make time for reflection.

Everyone is asked to meet out of doors very late in the evening if possible.

The Kindling of Fire:

A small bonfire or a large candle is lit

I am the Creator who dreams and speaks, and I am the Creation:

       I am the cosmic dance and I am the dancer.

I am the atom, the molecule and the space in between:
       I am the stars, the air, the fire, the earth, and the oceans.

I am the flower and the stone, the heartbeat and the silence:

       I am thought and I am matter.

I am love and joy, sorrow and sadness:
       I am all, and all is in me.

Life is my dream and my thought and my speaking:
       I am now and becoming, forever unfolding.

I am the spark and the flame of life and of transformation:

       Balancing sleep with wakefulness, darkess with light,

       death with life,

In me there is no tomorrow, there is no yesterday:

       There is only Now.

The Procession of Light:

If it has been safe to have a bonfire,

then a taper is now used to light a large candle from the fire.

One person carries the lighted candle carefully into the room.

Everyone else follows, while saying these responses

(based on the Phos Hilaron):

Light of the world in grace and beauty:

       Mirror of God's creative heart.

Transparent flame of love's free duty:
       You bring your light wherever we are.

Now we see the lights of evening:
       Now we raise our voice in praise.

Worthy are you of endless blessing:
       Sun of our night, lamp of our days.

The candle is placed in the centre of the table.

On this night of grace, may the Lord accept this candle:

       a solemn offering, the work of bees,

       and of your servants’ hands.

One person lights their small candle from the large candle,

then lights the next person's candle from it,

and so on until all the candles are lit.

As each candle is lit you may, if you wish, say:

The Light of God

The Exsultet (adapted):

Exult, let us exult, let the hosts of heaven exult,

let the angels, ministers of God, exult:

       Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her,

       ablaze with the light and love of her Creator,

       let all corners of the earth be glad,

       knowing an end to gloom and sorrow.

Rejoice, let all God's people rejoice,

arrayed with the lightning of God's glory:

       Let the earth and all creatures dance with joy,

       and all our voices sing God's praise.

Responsive Prayer: (extracts from Psalms 104 & 51)

       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever;
with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it;
above the mountains the waters stood.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You send forth springs into the watercourses

that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

You water the mountains from the clouds;
the earth is replete with the fruit of your works.
You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for everyone's use.
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all: the earth is full of your creatures.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
       Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation:

       Create in me a clean heart, O God.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a contrite and humble heart you will not spurn:

       Create in me a clean heart, O God,

       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Accept, we ask O Lord, the prayers of your people here,

and may your Light and your Love bring us to the healing of eternity:

       Amen.

Closing blessing:

Our Lord is yesterday and today, the beginning and the end,

the Alpha and the Omega:

       All time belongs to God, and all the ages:

       to God alone be glory.

By his birth, his death, and his life

may the Lord Jesus guard us and guide us:

       May the light of the Lord shine from our hearts

       and in all we do, for all our days.

The Lord be with you:

       And with thy spirit.

Lift up your hearts:

       We lift them to the Lord!

May the flame in our hearts be found still burning by the Morning Star:

       Arise, O Morning Star, Light of the World, and never set!

Food for the Feast:

For your very late supper after the Kindling of the Fire you might like to try some of these suggestions:

• Eggs (of course!) - scrambled, poached, fried, boiled, omeletted, quiched, french toasted, or pancaked – or try scrambled tofu (great with leeks) if you're off eggs
• Really good sandwiches (toasted?) on interesting breads
• Veggie paella
• Soup (Think luscious French onion or creamy sweetcorn chowder...)
• and the lemon and chocolate puddings of your choice!

Decorative details: just freshen up your Spring Equinox displays and add lots of daffodils in whatever containers are empty – jam jars look great.