Lichtin the rod tae Chrsitmas wi Saunt John
(Quotatiouns frae W. L. Lorimer’s New Testament)

Ouk ae: licht the ferst cannle.

“Lippen tae the licht,” says Jesus, “at ye may become childer o licht.” (12.36)
Atweill, Faither o lichts, them at luves brither an sister bides i the licht an is licht; lat us shine!  Sae lat it be.
This cannle’s for God’s bairns, ane an aa.


Ouk twa: the ferst cannle aareddies burnin, licht the secont.

“We hae fund him at Moses wrate o,  … an the Prophets forbye,” said Phílip o the son o Joseph, frae Nazareth. (1.45) “Our faither Abraham,” said Jesus, “stouned wi joy at the thocht o seein my day.” (8.56)
Atweill, the wurd of the prophets, your wurd, Lord, is a licht i the mirk: ‘C’wa,’ it says, ‘an see for yoursel;’ lat it lead us tae the Son o Man.  Sae lat it be.
This secont cannle’s for aa the prophets o God.


Ouk three: twa cannles ey burnin, licht the third.

“John wis a lichtit, shinin lamp,” said Jesus. (5.35)
Atweill, afore he wis born John fidged for fainness whan the Lamb o God cam near; Christ, gie us tae lilt at your cumin!  Sae lat it be.
This third cannle’s for John the Baptiser.


Ouk fower: tae the three burnin cannles add the fourt.

“This is your mither,” said Jesus whan he saw his mither an the disciple at he luved staundin aside her. (19.26,27)
Atweill, Lord Jesus, afore ye wis born your mither tentit ye, an you hed a care for her efter ye wis awa; Luve showds us afore we ken, an disna deval - God be thankit!  Sae lat it be.
This fourt cannle is for Jesus’s mither, Mary.


Christmas Eve: at midnicht or onie time efter 3p.m. licht the fift cannle.

“I am the licht o the warld,” says Jesus. (8.12)
“The licht shines i the mirk, an the mirk downa slocken it nane.” (1.5)