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Christ Candle Christmas Eve: Christ Our Light
- Ruth Hovsepian
- Dec 24
- 5 min read
Christmas Eve.
The candles on the Advent wreath are almost all burned low now—hope, peace, joy, and love. Tonight, one more candle is lit: the white one in the center. The Christ candle.
For many of us, this night holds a strange mix of emotions:
Relief that the busyness is (almost) over.
Tenderness and nostalgia as we remember Christmases past.
Quiet ache over the people and seasons we’ve lost.
Maybe even a bit of emptiness, wondering, “Did I miss something again this year?”
If that’s you, I want you to know:
You’re not alone here. And this night is especially for you.
Because the message of Christmas Eve isn’t “You finally did Advent right.”
It’s this:
In the middle of real darkness, Christ came as the Light of the world—and the Light has not gone out.
From Four Candles to One Story
All through Advent, we’ve been lighting candles:
Hope in the waiting
Peace in the chaos
Joy in the messy middle
Love when we feel unlovable
These themes aren’t just pretty words for a wreath. They’re threads of one story, all woven into the person of Jesus.
On Christmas Eve, when we light the white candle, we’re saying:
All our hope, peace, joy, and love finally meet in Christ Himself.
Not in our feelings.
Not in how perfectly we’ve celebrated.
Not in how consistent we’ve been with Bible reading or prayer this month.
In Him.
Maybe this Advent didn’t look the way you imagined:
You meant to slow down… and didn’t.
You meant to read more Scripture… but got lost in the rush.
You meant to be peaceful and joyful… and instead felt irritable and tired.
I understand that more than you know.
There were years when I sat in church on Christmas Eve, holding my candle, feeling like a fraud. I was caught in addiction and secret sin, living a double life. My outside looked “churchy.” My inside was full of shame.
But the miracle of this night is not my performance. It’s this:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Not the darkness in the world out there, but the darkness inside me. Inside you. Christ’s light is strong enough for that, too.
Christ Candle Christmas Eve: Light for the Broken and Weary
Traditionally, the white candle stands for Christ—pure, holy, the One who came to save. On Christmas Eve, as we light it, we remember that:
Advent was never about us climbing our way up to God. It was always about God coming down to us.
That’s what “Christ candle Christmas Eve” really means to me:
For the one who relapsed this year: the Light has not gone out.
For the one carrying family pain and complicated memories: the Light has not gone out.
For the one walking through divorce, addiction, depression, or secret sin: the Light has not gone out.
You might still feel overwhelmed tonight. Your circumstances might not have changed. But the center candle reminds us:
Jesus has come, and Jesus is here, and Jesus will come again.
Your story is not over. And it is not too dark for Him.
What It Means That Jesus Is the Light of the World
Scripture doesn’t shy away from darkness—but it never lets darkness have the last word.
Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…”
Jesus steps into people who are already walking in darkness—not people who’ve figured it out.
John 1:4–5 – “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
God doesn’t pretend the darkness isn’t real. He declares that it doesn’t win.
John 8:12 – Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Following Jesus doesn’t mean we never struggle. It means we never have to walk through that struggle alone.
When we light the Christ candle, we’re not celebrating our ability to be bright and shiny Christians. We are celebrating:
A Savior who walks into the mess.
A Light that doesn’t flicker with our mood or our failures.
A love that enters the world in the most vulnerable way—a baby in a manger—because He’s not afraid of our weakness.
How to Welcome Christ’s Light Tonight (Wherever You Are)
You might be in a packed church service, or at home in your pajamas. You might be surrounded by family, or very much alone.
Wherever you are, here are a few simple ways to welcome Christ’s light on Christmas Eve:
1. Light a Candle and Tell the Truth
If you’re able, light a candle, any candle, and sit quietly for a moment.
Whisper to God:
“Jesus, this is what feels dark in my life right now…”
Name it. The addiction. The fear. The grief. The loneliness. The regret.
You don’t scare Him. He already sees. This is not about informing God—it’s about inviting Him into what you’ve been trying to carry alone.
2. Read a Short Passage About the Light
If you only have a few minutes, choose one of these:
John 1:1–5
Isaiah 9:2–6
Luke 2:8–14
John 8:12
Read it slowly, maybe out loud. Ask the Lord:
“What do You want me to know about who You are tonight?”
You’re not trying to squeeze a big Bible study into a busy day. You’re simply turning your face toward the Light.
3. Let Go of One Thing You’re Using to Hide
So many of us use something to dim the ache:
Constant scrolling
Food
Alcohol
Pornography
Busyness
Even “Christian performance”
On this night when we remember that Jesus came for us, not just to us, ask Him:
“Lord, is there one thing I’m using to avoid You?”
If something comes to mind, you can simply pray:
“Jesus, I don’t know how to let this go yet. But I’m asking You to step into this place with Your light.”
That’s a beginning. Jesus is very good with small beginnings.
4. Ask for a Fresh Awareness of His Presence
Sometimes the most powerful prayer is the simplest:
“Jesus, show me You are here.”
You might notice:
A surprising sense of calm
A verse that lands differently
A memory of His faithfulness
A quiet nudge to reach out to someone
The Christ candle reminds us: Emmanuel, God with us, is not an idea. It’s a Person who is truly present with you tonight.
A Christmas Eve Prayer at the Christ Candle
Lord Jesus,
Tonight, we remember that You are the Light of the world. You stepped into real darkness, into my darkness, with a love that does not run away.
As the Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve, I bring You the places in my life that still feel shadowed: my fears, my failures, my hidden struggles, my grief.
Shine Your light there, Lord.
Not to shame me, but to heal me.
Not to expose me for condemnation, but to free me for life with You.
Thank You that the darkness has not overcome Your light, and never will.
Help me to rest, tonight, in the truth that You have come, You are here, and You will come again.
In Your name, Jesus, Amen.
Keep Walking with Me After Advent
Advent may be ending, but the journey with Jesus continues.
If you’d like encouragement for the days ahead:
Explore my books (including JOY and my Advent devotional Prepare Him Room) here: /books
Listen to honest, hope-filled conversations on the podcast: /podcast
Invite me to speak at your women’s ministry, retreat, or conference in 2026–2027: /speaking
Share a prayer request or reach out personally: /contact
Whatever this year has held, know this:
The Light has come, and it has not gone out.Jesus came for you.
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