September 2004

Norwegians are among the most traveled people in the world. Well-to-do, and with a hunger for sun and warm weather, Norwegians today are gigantic consumers of package tours to southern Europe.

A thousand years ago, the Vikings brought back Christianity from their journeys. These days, the Norwegian snowbirds have brought back a new custom from the Catholic countries around the Mediterranean. They have seen people in Spain, Greece, and Italy go into their churches, lighting a candle and taking a quiet moment in prayer. During the last few decades, many Norwegians have begun doing the same.

The installation is called a "lysglobe". It features a metal globe with Christ as the light of the world in the middle. Around what would be the equator are places for small candles. "You are the light of the world", Jesus said. Many light their own candles when they come into church, and the candles are used during baptisms and sometimes confirmation as well.

It’s interesting to see to what extent and how fast a new religious custom can be established. Norwegians are less likely than before to express their faith in the words of the creed. Many find it easier to use a candle as a symbol to express what might be a more undefined faith.

I think it would enrich our faith life if we got a "Lysglobe" at Mindekirken as well. Nothing can be a substitute for words when it comes to worship, but there are certainly other ways to worship through other means.

Pr. J. A. Dale

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716