Light: something that makes vision possible something that helps one know or understand (see the light)

Dark: being without light, not bright and cheerful (gloomy), being without knowledge and culture

Opening
This morning I invite you to explore with me the celebration of light. Many different religions and cultures celebrate winter holidays around the theme of light. In the middle of the room I have placed several displays of candles that represent various winter celebrations and religious holidays. Why do you suppose many religions and cultures celebrate light? (Days are shorter in the winter; the mood becomes more festive with light.) Light is defined as something that makes vision possible.

Do any of you have a night-light in your home? Why?

There is another way of defining light. What might that be? (knowing or understanding, seeing the light)

What about darkness?

What do we think about darkness? (gloomy)

When we go to bed at night we turn out the light. Why are we not afraid to be left in the dark? (We feel safe in our beds.)

Many religious holidays and celebrations include candles.

We are going on a scavenger hunt this morning around the Parish House. I would like the group to break into eight teams. I would also like the older children to be leaders of the teams. On the card I will give you, there is a riddle that will help you to locate your candle.

With your candle is a puzzle that will help you to identify which religion or celebration it belongs to.

Once you have found your candle and puzzle, return to the Chapel and wait quietly for the other children to return.

Once everyone is back, we will take turns reading the puzzle and see if we can identify which celebration it is referring to. Once we have done this, the team can light the candles in the display.

1. Advent (Nov 28) first Sunday of Advent
   the season beginning four Sundays before Christmas
2. Diwali (Nov 7) Hindu
   the Hindu festival of lights. People share their oil and candles with the less fortunate so that there will be more light.
3. Hanukkah (Dec. 3) Jewish
   In l65 BC a small group of Jews called the Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem from the Syrian King Antiochus IV. After cleaning the temple, they could only find enough oil to light the Hannukkiya for one day, the oil lasted for eight days.
4. St. Nicholas (Dec 6) Christian
   This festival marks the birthday of St. Nicholas, a Catholic bishop who was especially kind to children. Unlike the merry fat Santa Claus who visits children with gift at Christmas, St. Nicholas is portrayed as a tall, thin man.
5. St. Lucia (Dec 13) Christian
   St. Lucia was an early Christian martyr and patron saint of light and darkness. She always wore a crown of candles on her head. This holiday is meant to brighten up the long, dark days.
6. Christmas (Dec. 25) Christian
   Christmas is the time when Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus was no ordinary baby, but instead was the Son of God, sent to spread the word of God.
7. Kwanza (Dec. 26 thru Jan 1) Afro-American
   Kwanza means "first fruits." It was created in 1966 as a unique African American Celebration. The principles are Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, Faith.
8. Epiphany (Jan 6) Christian-Armenian Christmas
   The word epiphany comes from the Greed word epiphaneia, which means "appearance." This festival celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings, or Wise Men, in Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus.

Riddles

1. In the small room where the pictures files live. There in a small container we shall be .
   Q. What is the season beginning four Sundays before Christmas?
2. Seek high for we shall be in the room where the wee ones are.
   Q. What is the candle arrangement that commemorates the burning of the temple oil for eight days. The miracle of light.
3. In the room where the paper machines hum, I rest in the paper stacks.
   Q. I wear red pants, a red coat and a bishop's hat. I fill children's polished boots.
4. Where all enter, I am hidden behind the bin.
   Q. I am the saint of light and darkness. I wear a crown of candles on my head. Who am I?
5. My keys are used to make music. My music making is up high.
   Q. Christians all over the world celebrate my birthday. What is my birthday called?
6. We seven can be found in a box where the rounder be.
   Q. What is the African American Holiday that celebrates Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity & Faith?
7. I can be found where the dirt lifter is housed. The church sexton knows this location well.
   Q. What is the festival that celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings, or Wise Men. Our festival celebrates our visit to the baby Jesus.