Light was an important part of the pagan midwinter festivals, since this was the time when the sun ceased to wane and began to grow stronger and brighter. In imitation candles and bonfires helped to drive away the forces of the cold and darkness. ax tapers were given as gifts at the Roman festival of Saturnalia. To the Christian community, the lighting of the candles took on the additional symbolic significance of Jesus as the Light of the World.
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