My first instinct is always the same: go through the house, collecting and lighting candles until every room has at least one corner of glowing, comforting light. My candles are an odd assortment, ranging from the lovely molded variety to votives stuck in the bottoms of short, round glasses. Each projects a different light. Tinier candles give off short, dancing flames. Taller molded candles give off steady, serene light. But each one is essential in the room where I place it. Each one keeps the primal darkness at bay so faces can see faces and we can walk without stumbling to accomplish our tasks.
Each one of us has the potential to be a Light-Bearer - if we ask God to set aflame the unique candle which is our soul. Once lit, some of us have dancing flames and some of us are steady, serene light. But whatever corner of the Kingdom God places us in, we are meant to shine so people can really see each others' faces. So people can accomplish the tasks they are meant to do without stumbling.
We alone are the ones who can keep the darkness of evil at bay in our little corners of the Universe. But we are not alone. Jesus, God's original Light-Bearer in the world, gives us the instruction and capability to shine with His Light. (more below photo)
The congregation is gathered in the Church in almost total darkness, waiting for light, holding unlit tapers. This is the darkness of a world without Christ, a world where people cannot truly see each others' faces, and stumble in the dark, unable to work for good. This is the darkness of evil that exists without the Light of Faith, Hope, and Love.
Then the newly-lit Easter Candle is carried triumphantly into the Church, symbol of Christ the Light of the World, risen from the dead. The altar servers light tapers from the Easter Candle and move down the aisles, lighting people's little tapers.
Soon the darkness is pierced by many winking little stars of light as people bend to one another in the pews, lighting each others' candles, revealing each others' faces. Jesus, the Light of the World, once more spreads His Light and Life throughout the world, person to person, as each lights another person's candle to penetrate another corner of the dark with faith, hope, and love.
Holding our little candles, their warmth spreading into our hands, gazing into the tiny flames meant to warm our hearts, we remember:
"What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the Light of the human race; the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."