The Tradition, Book One
Reverend Chung Hwan Kwak
Chapter 16
Birth Candles
Significance
According to the Principle, blessed children should be born in a godly
environment; during this period of restoration they are still born in
impure, ungodly environments. The use of these candles makes a
condition for a holy environment to be created during the birth of the
blessed child.
History
The Birth Candle tradition originated at the time of Ye Jin Nim's
birth. After the 36 Couples started married life, True Father be-
queathed one Birth Candle and one box or book of Birth Matches to each
couple. Since that time, they have traditionally endowed Birth Candles
to other couples.
Format Used by True Father to
Bequeath Birth Candles and Matches
The format used by True Father to bequeath Birth Candles and Matches
follows the basic one outlined in chapter 15, Shimjung Candles.
Bequeathing Birth Candles and Matches
NOTE:
The following information explains the preparation and procedures a
person must know to bequeath a "seed" Birth Candle and Birth Matches
to another blessed member.
If a member has already received a "seed" Birth Candle and Birth
Matches, and needs instructions on preparing it for use, refer to the
section on "Multiplying Birth Candles and Matches" in this chapter,
Who May Bequeath Birth Candles and Matches
A leader who has previously received a Birth Candle and Matches from
an elder church member may bestow both candles and matches. Spiritual
parents who have previously received a Birth Candle and Matches from
an elder church member may also bequeath a Birth Candle and Matches to
a spiritual child.
Major leaders and IWs, as well as country and missionary leaders, may
conduct such ceremonies on an individual, departmental, regional, or
national level. The director of a national Blessed Family Department
or the director of the International Blessed Family Department may
also hold ceremonies to bequeath these candles.
Who May Inherit Birth Candles and Matches
Each blessed couple will receive only one Birth Candle and box or book
of Birth Matches (not one per blessed member). Husband and wife may
attend the inheritance ceremony together or either one may represent
the couple and inherit the candle and matches. However, Birth Candles
and Matches should be bequeathed only to blessed couples. Matched and
engaged couples should wait until they have gone through the Blessing
ceremony before inheriting a Birth Candle and Matches.
A blessed couple expecting a child but who has not yet inherited a
Birth Candle should contact their major or national leader or IW,
their National Blessed Family Department, or the International Blessed
Family Department, to discover when the next bequeathing ceremony is
scheduled, or to arrange to inherit a Birth Candle from an elder
couple.
When to Hold the Ceremony
Birth Candles and Matches may be inherited any time after a member has
been blessed. Leaders (or National or International Blessed Family
Departments) may schedule a bequeathing ceremony directly after the
Blessing, at periodic blessed couple meetings, internal workshops,
regional conferences, etc.
If a couple is expecting a child and cannot wait for such a meeting, a
leader (or spiritual parent) should bequeath a Birth Candle and
Matches at an individual ceremony.
Necessary Materials
Sanctify all materials with Holy Salt before use.
Candles
Candle holders, and Matches. Either purchase one candle and box or
book of matches for each couple who will inherit the Birth Candle and
Matches or have each couple bring their own candle and box or book of
matches to the ceremony.
Refer to chapter 15, Shimjung Candles: Necessary Materials, for
specific details on necessary materials.
Sanctification Procedure
When passing on this tradition, a church elder would follow the same
basic ceremony to sanctify the Birth Candles (before distributing and
bequeathing them) as Shimjung Candles (see chapter 15, Shimjung
Candles: Sanctifying the Candles.)
It is suggested that in sanctifying the candles before they are
bequeathed, the leaders' prayer might follow along these lines:
In the name of the Holy Father, Holy Son and Holy Spirit and True
Parents, I want to bless these candles with the power and
significance of the Birth Candle initially made by True Father
passed through my Birth Candle. I pray that this be done through
Your will.
Bequeathing Ceremony
The church elder should then prepare to pass on this tradition to each
couple in very much the same manner as the ceremony described for
bequeathing the Shimjung Candles. For convenience, the content is
repeated below.
Candles.
Blessed members should line up side by side in rows The leader should
then pass one candle to each couple in attendance. If both husband and
wife attend this ceremony, either should stand in this line. The other
spouse should stand as designated and participate in the ceremony by
praying.
Each blessed member in the line should hold the candle between two
hands (refer to diagram 16.1).
Walking down the row(s), the leader should light all candles from his/
her "seed" Birth Candle.
Prayer.
When all candles are burning, the leader should return to his/her
place in the front of the room, face the members and pray:
I want to serve these couples by bestowing the traditional Birth
Candle, which was made originally by the True Parents And
initially given to the 36 Couples. I use mine now as the symbol
of those original blessed Birth Candles, that it may have the
same significance for these couples.
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Figure 16-1
16.1. Hold the candle between two hands
I pray that in Your name and by Your glory, through lighting
these candles, the environment during the births of their
children can be made holy and that Satan will not be allowed to
touch their children.
Matches.
Birth Matches are bestowed in the same manner Father used. Each couple
in attendance may receive one box or book. (Refer to chapter 15,
Shimjung Candles, Bequeathing, Shimjung Matches.)
Father put one of his Birth Matches in each of the boxes during the
original ceremony he held. If it is possible, leaders should follow
this same pattern using matches from boxes of multiplied matches, not
one's "seed" Birth Matches.
On the way out of the ceremony, the leader should bequeath a box of
Birth Matches by handing one to each couple.
Inheriting Birth Candles and Matches
How to Inherit Birth Candles and Matches
Candles.
Blessed members must receive their Birth Candles and Matches in
person. The leader must (according to the description in
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the above section) bequeath Birth Candles and Matches by lighting the
candle of each participant in the ceremony with his/her "seed" Birth
Candle, and through the flame, pass on the significance of the Birth
Candle tradition.
Matches.
As the leader bequeaths a box of Birth Matches, it should be received
with two hands (refer to chapter 1, Attendance Etiquette: Accepting
Gifts and Money, for the traditional method of receiving gifts.)
Multiplying Birth Candles and Matches
NOTE: This section does not explain how a blessed member obtains
his or her "seed" Birth Candle and Birth Matches. If a
couple has received them, this section will explain how to
make more for use at the time of birth.
These candles may be multiplied by each couple in the same manner as
the Shimjung Candles. For the sake of convenience, the information is
repeated below with a few noted differences.
Preparation
Sanctify all materials with Holy Salt before use.
Necessary Materials and Preparation.
Candles and matches.
Before a member is able to multiply a Birth Candle and Matches, he or
she should purchase six new candles (white or light yellow are the
suggested colors), which for convenience sake should be at least five
to six inches in length. No new boxes or books of matches need to be
purchased.
Candle holders.
Prepare four candle holders or, if candle holders are unavailable,
four dishes or bowls. These materials do not need to be new. (Refer to
the subheading "Candle holders" in the section on Bequeathing, chapter
15, Shimjung Candles, for further details.)
Appropriate Times.
The Birth Candles are generally multiplied directly before the birth
of the child or after inheriting the "seed" Birth Candle.
Procedure
Candles.
Birth Candles are multiplied three at a time. A total of seven candles
are needed for the Birth Ceremony. Therefore, follow the
multiplication process twice and use the Birth Candle which was
bequeathed as the "seed" candle (placed in God's position when
multiplying) both times.
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Refer to diagram 16.2. The four position foundation is formed with
three of the new candles and the "seed" Birth Candle.
Offer a prayer beginning with the following words: "In the name of
Holy Father, Holy Son and Holy Spirit, and True Parents, I want to
multiply our Birth Candle."
Next, place the "seed" Birth Candle in the position of God and the
candles to be multiplied in the positions of Adam, Eve, and Child in
candle holders or dishes (diagram 16.2).
Light the "seed" Birth candle with a Birth Match (diagram 16.3) and
use the Birth Candle to light the other candles in the following
manner: Adam, Eve, Child (diagram 16.4). Afterwards, replace the
"seed" Birth Candle in its original place (God's position) (diagram
16.5).
Prayer.
While the candles are burning, pray according to the following:
I pray that these new candles will become Birth Candles in the
name of God, True Parents and my name. Heavenly Father, I ask
that You attend this ceremony. Let the heart of True Parents, who
made Birth Candles and endowed them to the 36 Couples, fill this
room.
Whenever these Birth Candles are lit, let the foundation of God's
victory expand and chase the power of Satan away. Spread a
heavenly atmosphere whenever they are lit.
Figure 16-2
16.2. Positions for multiplying the Birth Candle
16.3. Light the "seed" Birth Candle with a Birth Match
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Matches.
The Birth Matches originally bequeathed should be used for each birth.
There is no need to multiply additional boxes or books.
It is suggested that leaders, wishing to place a Birth Match in the
boxes of matches they bequeath, multiply Birth Matches (refer to
chapter 15, Shimjung Candles: Multiplying Shimjung Candles and Matches
-- "Procedure. . . Matches," for directions) and use the Birth Matches
from the newly multiplied boxes. Save the "seed" Birth Matches for
actual use with the Birth Candle.
Extinguishing Candles
Each candle should be extinguished in the same order it was lit (i.e.,
Adam, Eve, Child). End by extinguishing the "seed" Birth Candle (the
one in God's position).
Father has taught us to extinguish candles between our two fingers
(diagram 16.6). Use that method whenever possible. On some occasions,
however, it is more appropriate to blow out the candles (e.g., candles
on a birthday cake).
Figure 16-4
16.4. "Seed" Birth Candle is taken from God's position to light the
new candles in the positions of Adam, Eve and Child
16.5. Replace the "seed" Birth Candle in God's position
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Figure 16-6
16.6. Traditional way of extinguishing the flame
Using Birth Candles
The chapter entitled Births, Birth Ceremony gives information on the
prayer ceremony during birth.
Preparation
Either a seven-place candle holder (candelabra) or seven individual
candle holders should be purchased. Sanctify with Holy Salt before
use.
Format
The "seed" Birth Candle should be placed in the central position of
the candelabra or the seven individual candle holders (diagram 16.7).
All other multiplied candles should be placed in the other holders.
Light the "seed" Birth Candle with a Birth Match (diagram 16.8).
However, DO NOT light the other candles with a Birth Match. The "seed"
Birth Candle should be taken out of its position and used to light the
other candles in any order (diagram 16.9). Replace the "seed" Birth
Candle (diagram 16.10).
Use at Subsequent Births
On the occasion of the birth of other children this same set of seven
Birth Candles may be used. (These should last at least through five or
six births.)
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The other option is to store the six candles away (see this chapter,
Storing Birth Candles and Matches section) marked with the name of the
child and date of birth. On the occasion of the birth of other
children, the entire multiplication procedure should then be repeated.
If this option is chosen, be sure that the "seed" Birth Candle is not
mixed with the other candles. It will be needed to multiply more
candles for other births.
If the "Seed" Birth Candle Becomes Too Short
In the event that the "seed" Birth Candle becomes too short and is no
longer able to be used to multiply more candles, keep it as a
remembrance and simply use a previously multiplied Birth Candle to
multiply more candles as needed, using it in the "seed" candle
position during the Birth Ceremony.
Multiple Births
Only one set of seven candles is needed in the event of a multiple
birth (whether twins, triplets, etc.)
Figure 16-7
16.7. "Seed" Birth Candle should occupy the central position
16.8. Light "seed-' Birth Candle with Birth Match
16.9. Use "seed ' Birth Candle to light all other candles
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Uses for Birth Candles
Birth Ceremony
The only official occasion to use all seven Birth Candles is during
the prayer ceremony held on the day of the birth of your child.
Eight Day Dedication Ceremony
Either Birth Candles or Shimjung Candles can be used at the Eight Day
Dedication Ceremony.
It is not mandatory that all seven Birth Candles be used. However,
either one Birth Candle or one Shimjung Candle should be used.
40-Day, 100-Day Celebrations
Birth Candles are not appropriate to use during a 40 or 100-day
celebration.
Child's Birthday Ceremony
One or two Shimjung Candle(s) should be used on the altar for a
child's birthday, not a Birth Candle.
Storing Birth Candles and Matches
"Seed" Birth Candle and Matches
The "seed" Birth Candle should be clearly marked as such. It has a
different purpose from Shimjung or Ae Chun Candles and should be
marked and kept separately from all other candles. It will be used to
multiply more Birth Candles as needed and during the Birth Ceremony.
If the "seed" candle is no longer usable, one may wish to simply use
one of the previously multiplied Birth Candles to make more; place
this candle in God's position when multiplying more. Keep the "seed"
Birth Candle inherited as a remembrance.
As with Shimjung and Ae Chun Candles, small pieces of the candles may
eventually be discarded after they are too small to use.
"Seed" Birth Matches are usually not multiplied (for an exception
refer to the section on Multiplying Birth Candles and Matches --
"Procedure. . . Matches," in this chapter). However, their purpose is
different from Shimjung and Ae Chun Matches and they should not
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be mixed together. They should be clearly marked and stored with the
"seed" Birth Candle.
Original Set of Birth Candles
As described above, the original set of Birth Candles (including the
"seed" Birth Candle) can be used during the birth of each child. If
so, mark them accordingly.
Birth Candle Sets for Each Child
If the second option was chosen and new sets of six candles are
multiplied for each birth, each set of Birth Candles may then be
stored away with the name and the date of birth of each child.
For definitions of the terms "seed", bequeath, inherit, and multiply
please refer to the appendix