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We all lived in darkness at one time until the light of Christ illuminated our hearts and the flame of passion for God was ignited within us. With each new candle that we light in our dedication ceremony we can begin to see more clearly how vital it is that we abide in Christ as the necessary means to produce even greater light that will illuminate the darkness of this present world, providing the pathway for those who are lost in the shadows to be drawn into His glorious light. "For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light..." (Ephesians 5:8).

We no longer belong to the darkness; we are now children of the light (reference 1 Thessalonians 5:5). As the Lord's ambassadors of light we are called daily to walk in His light so that those who are living in the shadow of death may realize that His light has come (reference Isaiah 9:2)! "He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe...the true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world" (John 1:7,9).

Tonight we will light a second candle, beginning as we did last night by first lighting the center candle - the servant or guard candle - which we are using to symbolize the Holy Spirit of God Who is God's gift to believers; and is the indwelling power that is necessary to fuel the flame of Christ, and keep our hearts burning passionately for our Lord, enabling us to bear fruit - fruit that will last (reference John 15:8, 16).

As we shared on day one of our devotional, all spiritual fruit is an outgrowth out of love. Tonight love and joy are joined together to ignite the presence of peace in our lives. "But the fruit of the Spirit is...PEACE" (Galatians 5:22).

If your family is together for this dedication ceremony you may choose two helpers to light the candles. As the head of household hands the "Shamash" (servant) candle to the first participant, say:

Facing the Menorah (or candles you have set out) they will light the second candle first (see Menorah above) then have them hand the "Shamash" candle to the next person who will light the first candle from day one, saying:

When the candles are lit have the person who ignited the day two candle read Philippians 4:4-9:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

When the angels made the glorious announcement that the Savior of the world had been born they offered up praise to God, saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:14). The peace that all mankind had been looking for has come into the world! Unfortunately, even to this day, the world tries desperately to manufacture peace; but all their striving cannot create a peace that will last. For many it is an endless longing that will never be fulfilled apart from Christ, because real, lasting peace comes from Christ alone. All the world's efforts to produce peace are in vain because real peace is the fruit of the Spirit and is present only in the lives of believers who have already placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and continue to choose to abide in Him. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

Peace, like joy, is not dependent upon our circumstances. True peace is the result of a right relationship with God. "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20). The peace that God provides is an inner calm, a sense of security and well-being, which has been achieved for believers through the blood of Christ. As we humbly submit to the Lord in obedience and dependence upon God we become the recipients of His blessings of peace and rest. In the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced God's favor and His divine blessings of peace and rest from their enemies when they wholeheartedly depended on God. "I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid" (Leviticus 26:6). As His followers, today, we should not be surprised when we go through a painful situation or face a difficult trial, but rather we are to expect the challenges and difficulties of life, facing them with confidence and peace because we have already received the ultimate victory in Christ. "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Jesus Christ came into the world as our "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), carrying with Him the prescription for healing to His creation, terminally ill from the consequences of sin. "A heart at peace gives life to the body" (Proverbs 14:30). When we abide in Christ we not only experience the fullness of His love and the resulting joy because of the hope we have received, we also experience the benefits of a life of peace, which enables us to promote health and wholeness to the entire Body of Christ. "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19). Jesus is our peace and He calls His children to live a life of peace. "Finally, brothers...Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Corinthians 13:11).

Remember, "You are the light of the world!" The Lord desires for all men to come to the light of His salvation. When we live at peace with each other, and pray for His peace for others in the midst of uncertainty and difficulty, we become conduits of His light illuminating the path of peace that will lead others into His glorious light! "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation..." (Isaiah 52:7).

Heavenly Father, "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:38). "You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life" (Psalm 56:13). "Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble" (Psalm 119:165). "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light" (Psalm 36:9). You have made known to me the path of life. May your peace now rule in our hearts, "since as member of one body [we have been] called to peace" (Colossians 3:15). "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify [us] through and through. May [our] whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Send us out in joy and lead us forth in peace (Isaiah 55:12), that we would be a beacon of hope lighting the pathway for those who are searching for peace to enter into your glorious rest. We give you all the glory, honor and praise. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

At this point in our devotional we will again take time to offer a blessing to the members of our family. As we continue our 8-day dedication ceremony we are reminded in Scripture that it was on the eighth day that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be circumcised. It was here that our Lord was given a blessing by a righteous and devout man named Simeon, who "was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him" (Luke 2:25b).

On this particular day Simeon was moved by the Spirit to enter the temple courts. Simeon took his Lord into his arms and praised God with this blessing: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (v. 29-32). When he was finished he also blessed Mary and Joseph. Simeon was at peace because he had seen what God promised.

As we continue with the priestly blessing, as provided in Numbers 6:24-26, expand this blessing to include a special promise for your children, spouse, or other family member - by making the blessing more personal you express to those you love the prayers and promises you hold in your heart for them. For example:

that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way..."

"The LORD bless you with greater wisdom and understanding as you seek His will for your life and keep you faithful in His Word so whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it’" - Isaiah 11:2; 30:21

To perform the blessing the head of the household places their hands on the head, or on the shoulders of each child, spouse, or family member (one at a time), and recites the priestly blessing over them (you can hold hands if you prefer).

In 1867, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem entitled, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". In this poem he writes, "how wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, goodwill to men." You might choose to close tonight's celebration by singing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" or "Silent Night."

Note: The candles are meant to only stay lit for a half hour. Be sure to extinguish the flame each night.