Introduction

INTRODUCTION

We went into the cathedral for Evensong, and there was the verger looking all round for matches to light the candles. The old matchbox was empty, and someone, it seemed, had taken the spare one that was always kept at the back of the cupboard. Now of course you can still have a service without candles, but in many traditions people value them as a sign of God’s mysterious presence. After all, God himself appeared in a pillar of fire to the Israelites in the desert. The symbolism still makes sense...