Activity Two, December 2006

Lesson of Faith

Since light is an image associated with many Bible stories, candles, a source of light, are good teaching tools to use to illuminate this topic. Make and use decorated candles to interpret the significance of l ight for each season of the Church year -- Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost -- and to illustrate passages such as the Old Testament story of Creation and the New Testament account of the Sermon on the Mount.

Provide

• Brushes
• Glue, white
• Margarine tubs
• Permanent markers, fine-tipped
• Scissors
• Tissue paper
• Water
• White candles, 8-inches tall, pillar-type

Proceed

With fine-tipped permanent markers, trace or draw symbols and words associated with the lesson on small pieces of tissue paper. Carefully tear or cut around the pictures and phrases. Working in small sections, brush diluted white glue directly onto the candle. Press a tissue-paper piece over the glue. To smooth, brush glue from the center of the paper to the edge with outward strokes. Continue adding pieces to the candle, overlapping each one slightly as it is attached. The dyes in some colored tissues will "bleed" when brushed with web glue. The watercolor effect can add to the glowing appearance when the candle is burning.