St. Jerome, said candles were a way to express Christian joy.
Many see them as a symbol of the enlightenment Christ brought to the Earth.
Pope Gelasius established candlemas Day around 492 ad. as a time to bless candles in church and commemorate both the Purification of the Virgin and the presentation of Christ in the Temple, where he was welcomed by Simeon as a light to lighten the Gentiles.
Legends tell us that candles in windows guilded the Christ Child as he wanders from house to house on Christmas Eve.
One Norwegian custom says that Christmas candles must not burn out during Christmas Eve, or disaster will strike that family.
In Germany Christmas trees were decorated with lit candles to represent the stars.
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