Candlelight vigil to commemorate children who have passed away

Linda and Terry Hale have been coming to the Christmas Box Angel for 8 years, ever since it was erected thanks largely to their efforts.

The Christmas box angel is designed to commemorate children who have passed away. It has meaning for the Hales because they lost a granddaughter.

The statue is based on a popular book by Richard Paul Evans called “The Christmas Box.” The angel plays a prominent role for the character who has lost a child. Readers have been so touched by the story that 200 memorial statues like this have been erected worldwide.

“It’s been said there’s no harder of more painful thing than the loss of a child in this life,” Hale said. “This particular statue is a place where people can come, ponder, think, pray, hope and remember so it has a great healing effect.”

Part of the tradition is to hold a candlelight vigil every December 6th at the statue. The Hales are organizing the event again this year. Those who have lost children and those that want to support them are invited to come to the vigil. It includes speakers, music and a chance to remember their loved ones.

The vigil will be held at the Saturday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. It’s at Fielding Memorial Cemetery on South Yellowstone in Idaho Falls. The Hales suggest you bring a candle, bring some flowers to leave there, and dress warm.