Charles Burgess, left of the Norwich Hill Church in Huntington receives the Peace Light from a Boy Scout at the First Congregational Church in Southampton, UCC in 2016. (Photo submitted)
HUNTINGTON – Earlier this month, the Norwich Hill Congregational Church in Huntington received the Bethlehem Peace Light at the First Congregational Church of Southampton, UCC. where parishioner Charles Burgess lit his oil lamp with this light and brought it back to Huntington. This is Burgess’ third year tending the light, keeping it continuously lit during the Christmas season. The flame is used to light the Advent wreath and candles each Sunday.
The Bethlehem Peace Light is a symbol of hope and peace that is carried throughout the world. It began its journey to the hilltowns from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where tradition holds that Jesus was born. The oil lamps there have been continuously burning for over 1400 years.
According to www.peacelight.org, “Each year, a child from Upper Austria fetches the light from the grotto in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The light is carried in two blast proof miners lamps on an Austrian Airlines jet from Tel Aviv Israel to Vienna, Austria from where it is distributed at a Service of Dedication to delegations from across Europe who take it back, with a message of Peace, to their own countries. Austrian Airlines then flies the miners’ lamps containing the Peace Light from Bethlehem to New York City.” There at JFK Airport, in Our Lady of the Skies Chapel, Girl and Boy Scouts and others kindle oil lamps that are used to share the Bethlehem Peace Light with individuals, houses of worship and any organization that would like to have the gift.
On Christmas Eve at Norwich Hill, the flame will be used to light the candles of parishioners as they sing “Silent Night.” The service, which begins at 7 p.m. and is open to all, ends in silence as the flames are extinguished.
“The overhead lights are dimmed as the small flame then spreads to everyone, one little light at a time until the whole church is brightly lit in the dark of night. It is such a wonderful sight! A beautiful image of how peace can spread from one to another to make a difference in the world – just like the way those many little flames together can light up a darkened space,” said Pastor Carol B. Smith of the First Congregational Church at Norwich Hill.
Rev. Smith said she plans to keep the Peace Light burning at the church until Epiphany / three Kings Day, celebrated on Sunday, January 7–the coming of the Magi who followed the light of the star. After, that she plans to extinguish it and ask people to discover the individual ways that they may carry and share the light of peace with others in their daily lives.
This is the third year that Norwich Hill has been fortunate to host the Bethlehem Peace Light. If anyone would like to set up a time to receive the Bethlehem Peace Light, please call: 413.677.3935 and leave a message, or email Rev. Smith at: [email protected].
The Norwich Hill church will also be participating in the Longest Night (or Blue Christmas) Service this Thursday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. at the Westhampton Congregational church, 1 Tob Road. This is a service of hope and peace for anyone who may feel loss, sadness and disappointment in the midst of Christmas celebrations. Also participating in the service will be the UCC congregations from Southampton and Easthampton.
