It’s amazing: the power of a candle.

My family spends time doing a family devotion as part of our bedtime routine. It’s one small way to help the kids settle down and shift gears, in hopes of transitioning to sleeping children. (I’ll be honest: Bedtime has been a struggle for us for years…) Spending time focusing on God’s Word, and doing our nighttime prayers, certainly can’t hurt, right?

But, as many of you parents know, the mood and activity level that children are at doesn’t just turn on a dime. How do you get kids who were running around, playing with their siblings, speaking in a volume that carries from room to room, busy and active–you know, being normal kids–how do you get them to sit down, be quiet, and listen, as we spend time focusing on God’s Word?

My wife and I have focused on things like consistency, putting the toys away (or at least not in their hands), and staying seated (as much as their little bodies would allow) to help facilitate good listening ears. But it never seemed like it was enough. I wondered if there was some trick or hint we were missing? And, sure enough, God provided the answer.

I can’t remember if I read it somewhere or saw a video of it, but one resource I was consuming suggested lighting candles at dinner to help children realize that dinner was a special time that required special behavior. I figured, if that works for the dinner table, where physical food is being consumed, that might also work for family devotional time, when spiritual food is on the menu.

And, at least in my family, it has worked okay (for the most part). It’s not a guaranteed behavior changer, but it can certainly help. I have found this to be true especially when the rest of the lights are turned off; when the only source of light is coming from the flame of the candle.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:15-16, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Perhaps, in your family, you too can “light a lamp” and “put it on a stand,” as your family focused on the True Light of the World–Jesus, our Savior. As recorded in John 8:12, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”