MANNA: Sanctuary Lamp

The SANCTUARY LAMP: What is this?

Does your church have one of these?  It may also be called ETERNAL CANDLE, ETERNAL FLAME, TABERNACLE LIGHT, or some other variation of these words.  It is usually found somewhere in the altar area.  Some churches suspend them directly above the altar by a chain from the ceiling.  My church has one attached to the wall on the side of the altar.

Essentially, the Sanctuary Lamp symbolizes the eternal presence of God in the church.  In the Bible (Exodus 25:31-40) God gave instructions for the building of the Tabernacle.  Those instructions included a lamp.  God commanded that Israel keep the lamp burning as a perpetual ordinance (Exodus 27:20-21).

Modern sanctuary lamps are linked more historically to the Roman Catholic practice of burning a light in front of the reserved sacrament (consecrated bread and wine left after a communion service), to signify and honor the presence of Christ in the elements of bread and wine. In Roman Catholic usage the light near the reserved sacrament is enclosed in red glass and is placed near the tabernacle (a box traditionally recessed into the wall behind or to the side of the altar to house the reserved sacrament).  

Protestant churches continued the Roman Catholic practice by including lamps in their worship spaces that were enclosed in red glass but without maintaining tabernacles or the reserved sacrament.  The rationale for most was that of Christ's eternal presence in the church.  

Theologically, however, this is very weak.  Christ's presence is more to do with the Word and promise of God, and the gathering of the faithful than with the building or space used for worship.  As Jesus says in Matthew 18:20, "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am among them."  For this reason, the Lutheran position discourages congregations from adding a sanctuary lamp when one does not already exist.  Where a sanctuary lamp is already in place it is best to recognize it as a symbol with less prominence and priority in the worship space than the baptismal water, the altar, the lectern/pulpit, and the gathering of the faithful.  

Theology aside, I appreciate the sanctuary lamp in my church, and I'm glad we have it.  I presume that most of my members appreciate it as well.  Often, I enjoy sitting in the sanctuary for a moment or two of private, tranquil prayer.  In times like these my church is lit by nothing more than the ambient light through the windows.  Depending upon the time of day, it can be very dark in my church.  For me, the sanctuary candle burning off in the corner is a reminder of what John wrote in very beginning of his gospel.  

In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things came into being through him, 
and without him not one thing came into being. 

What has come into being in him was life, 
and the life was the light of all people. 

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can not overcome it.

There is a lot of darkness in the world, even in the church.  But, just as one candle pushes its light into the darkness of a room, so it is with the light of faith in our God. One little moment of prayer, one Bible verse, a spot of bread and wine, a sprinkling of water...these are like tiny lights that shine in our darkness, and the darkness can not overcome it.  So, theology aside, I say "...let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!"

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