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A Bethlehem flame brings light to Seguin
Published December 16, 2009
SEGUIN — The Peace Light of Bethlehem is being spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world to signify the birth of Jesus Christ.
And once the word got out that Seguin would have it’s chance to be a host site for the Peace Light, First United Methodist Church Associate Pastor Ron Welborn said his congregation jumped on the opportunity to create the perfect shell for it’s resting place.
“It created a tremendous sense of excitement,” he said. “My men’s Sunday School class really took the bull by the horns and built the housing for the light. Once we retrieved it we have to keep it safe and going until Christmas Eve and they are so excited about it. If need be, they would go to Bethlehem to get it.”
The flame was ignited in the presumed birthplace of Jesus and, through the aid of a European company, is being shared with the global Christian community.
“Austrian Airlines — this is a project that they have been doing for over 20 years now — would fly one younger person from upper Austria to Bethlehem and they will pick up the light in a ceremony and it is flown back to Vienna, Austria,” said Welborn. “It is transported in what is known as a blast-proof miners lamp.”
Each of the European delegations come to the sight in Austria for a lighting ceremony and blessing. From there, they take the light back to their respective countries and communities and the light begins its journey through the continent, Welborn said.
“For the last few years, Austrian Airlines has been flying it across the Atlantic to New York City and there is a ceremony there and again it begins to pass and go,” he said. “In New York, a lantern was lighted in what we call a second lighting and it went to various communities.”
This year, a Boy Scout troop from Columbus, Texas was able to bring a piece of the light home after a trip to Independence, Mo. Members of the First United Methodist Church congregation made the voyage to Columbus for another lighting ceremony and brought it to Seguin on Sunday, Dec. 13.
“Sunday was very emotional,” he said. “Just the awareness that so many Christians worldwide were looking at the same flame, lighting the same flame and remembering the birth of Jesus. It was just a very touching thing.”
While the ceremony had its emotional moments, Welborn said the gathering of churches from across the state and beyond was very touching.
“There was a number of different churches that picked up the light to take it back to their community like we did,” he said. “But one of the really moving things for us was that there was a delegation from Mexico. They drove for about six hours just to get there from Matamoros. They went back and will have their lighting ceremonies and the light will be spread all across Mexico.”
Welborn said he sees the light as a spark that shines on everyone and brings a warmth that could be felt on a global level.
“I think events like this certainly help as a catalyst to bring communities together in a closer, tight-knit way,” he said. “And I think it is really going to focus our attention on the worldwide connection that Christianity has and our connections with one another within our communities, within our states and within the world. This is such a significant event, this is the birth of Christ and for a moment all of our differences disappear in that common flame that ignites us all.”
In Seguin, the flame will be glowing strong in the pray garden at FUMC until Christmas Even, when the church will make use of the symbolic light, Welborn said.
“On Christmas Eve it is a tradition at a lot of churches to hold a candlelight service and you light your candles from the Christ Candle,” he said. “This year, we will be lighting our Christ Candle on Christmas Eve off of the Peace Light. The symbolism of millions upon millions of people worldwide lighting their candles from the same common sources is really quite moving.”
But the Peace Light is not just for FUMC’s congregation to revel in, Welborn said.
“I know that several churches from out-lying communities are making plans to come and retrieve the light from us and take it back to their communities and we are going to make it available for the community at the end of Las Posadas along with a blessing,” Welborn said. “If someone can’t make the ceremony, but wants to get the light, we will make the light available but they have to call or stop by first.”
For more information on the Peace Light, visit www.peacelight.org or call 830-379-4112.
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