The presanctified service includes a dramatic moment that we can easily overlook.  In this ancient liturgy, two readings from the Old Testament are given for instruction.  One of these is from the book of Genesis.  The other is from the Book of Proverbs.

            But between these two readings, the priest sets a lighted candle on top of the Gospel book.  He then comes out through the Holy Doors and blesses those present with the candle and Gospel.  He announces, “The Light of Christ illumineth all!”   Meanwhile, the faithful kneel or make a prostration as a sign of their reverence for the Word of God.

            The origin of this action is the ancient practice of the Church.  In early days, Great Lent was a time of preparation of those to be baptized.  Therefore, Great Lent was the time when those who desired to be baptized received their basic instruction in the Christian faith.  The reading of the Genesis gave them knowledge of God and His ways.  The book of Genesis also taught the origin of sin and death in the disobedience of Adam.  And it taught the consequences of sin in the expulsion from the garden, the flood, etc.  On the other hand, the readings of Proverbs gave practical guidance to the candidates on how to live wisely and faithfully as Christians. 

            But what was the significance of the bringing out the candle and Gospel book between the Bible lessons?  The action had several meanings.

First, this dramatic action was associated with Holy Baptism since Holy Baptism is called “illumination.” St. Paul says in 2 Corinthians, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”  (2 Cor. 4:6).  Holy Baptism is not only a cleansing of sin.  It is the opening of eyes that are otherwise blinded by sin.  Baptism bestows the purifying grace of God.  But this sanctifying grace is also “illuminating grace.”   By the gift of this “illuminating grace,” the baptized now “see” by the spiritual sight given to them by the gift of the Holy Spirit.  In this way, the candle and Gospel set the goal and benefit of Holy Baptism before those preparing for it.  In their baptism were going to be “enlightened” with the knowledge of God.

            Second, the candle and Gospel book said clearly that the Light by which we see God is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He himself said, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  The Lord Jesus came as the Light of God into the darkness of the world of sin and death.  Therefore, the Light by which we see the truth of God and attain knowledge of our Creator is the “Light of Christ.”

            Third, the candle was placed over the Gospel book.  This meant that the Light of Christ gives us the true understanding of the Holy Scriptures.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the key that unlocks the meaning of God revelation in the Holy Scriptures.  He is the center and fulfillment of all that God has revealed to us in His Word.

            Nowadays, we do not usually follow the ancient practice of preparing candidates for Holy Baptism during Great Lent.  However, the ritual of bringing out the candle and Gospel book still has profound meaning for us.  Baptism gives us the spiritual eyes of the Holy Spirit to “see” the things of God “in the Spirit.”  However, it is up to us to use that gift of spiritual sight in our daily walk with God.  After our baptism, we can close our spiritual eyes to God and His will and ways.  As we do that, we can also return to the state of the blindness of sin. 

            Suppose you must walk through a dark forest on a starless night.  And suppose someone has given you a strong flashlight to help you find your way.  You would be foolish not to use that flashlight and to stumble off into the night without a light.  This is also true of our spiritual lives.   We have been given the Light of Christ.  Why then do we forget to use it to guide our way through life?           

In Great Lent, we return to the “Light of the World” that we might have our spiritual sight renewed. Thus, it is with incredible joy that we hear the words once spoken to the candidates for Holy Baptism, “The Light of Christ illumineth all.”  We hear them also addressed to us!