357/365: The Peace Light of Bethlehem

357/365: The Peace Light of Bethlehem, originally uploaded by Magic Madzik.

December 23rd

Just like last year, father Ronald, the chaplain for the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, brought us the Peace Light of Bethlehem. The flame is taken every year from the Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem and carried unextinguished back to Vienna, from where it is distributed across Europe. The scouts bring it back to Poland, and father Ronald lights a lantern from it and brings it to our house. We set it on the table, light our Advent candles from it, say a little prayer and then the light is with us all through Christmas.

Here is Father Ronald with the light...

...and Grandma and Grandpa.