The yucca are budding and reminding me of a piece I wrote some time ago:Candles of the Lord
by Chris Valentine
June is such a beautiful month in Montana. It is the month of rain, and along with suddenly fluctuating temperatures, the wildflowers bloom in profusion, even the cactus are decked out in their robes of yellow silk.
The Yucca are in bud, their creamy spires abundantly strewn across the hills. I remember the western term for them, Candles of the Lord, and I consider biblical times wondering about candles and Christ.
In his life Christ received light from olive oil lamps, carefully tended by the women of the house, as they had for generations. Exodus 27-20 , says “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may be set up to burn continually. In the tent of meeting outside the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute for ever to be observed throughout their generations, by the people of Israel.”
Mary lit the lamps in the evening for the baby Jesus who played in the low light. Did Mary Magdalene light a lamp in later years to celebrate a visit from her Savior? Lamps were strewn across the supper tables and were present at the last supper. Did Nicodemus carry a lamp for Joseph of Arimathea when they fetched Jesus’ body to embalm, and entomb in the garden of Gethsemane?
The Light of the World was surrounded by light. The crisp, clear light of the Mediterranean lands in which he traveled, lamps, and above all, the light of love from his family and friends.
We light candles in church when we pray for those close to us and for our world. Christ needed lights primed by those around him. He depended on them for his own vision and to find the way in his journey on this earth. As Christ did, we need our own light primed too, by those around us. Our family, friends, daily companions at work all give light to us and receive light from us, if we choose to give it back.
Let us always remember Candles of the Lord, receive the light of his love, and reflect that light towards others.
The Yucca are in bud, their creamy spires abundantly strewn across the hills. I remember the western term for them, Candles of the Lord, and I consider biblical times wondering about candles and Christ.
In his life Christ received light from olive oil lamps, carefully tended by the women of the house, as they had for generations. Exodus 27-20 , says “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may be set up to burn continually. In the tent of meeting outside the veil, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute for ever to be observed throughout their generations, by the people of Israel.”
Mary lit the lamps in the evening for the baby Jesus who played in the low light. Did Mary Magdalene light a lamp in later years to celebrate a visit from her Savior? Lamps were strewn across the supper tables and were present at the last supper. Did Nicodemus carry a lamp for Joseph of Arimathea when they fetched Jesus’ body to embalm, and entomb in the garden of Gethsemane?
The Light of the World was surrounded by light. The crisp, clear light of the Mediterranean lands in which he traveled, lamps, and above all, the light of love from his family and friends.
We light candles in church when we pray for those close to us and for our world. Christ needed lights primed by those around him. He depended on them for his own vision and to find the way in his journey on this earth. As Christ did, we need our own light primed too, by those around us. Our family, friends, daily companions at work all give light to us and receive light from us, if we choose to give it back.
Let us always remember Candles of the Lord, receive the light of his love, and reflect that light towards others.
Daily Haiku
cream spires of yucca
reach toward the bluebird nest
safe under the eaves
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