In early December, each year, a young girl or boy from Austria travels to Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. During a solemn ceremony at the Grotto of Christ's Birth in the Church of the Nativity, a candle is lit at the eternal flame and placed in a special lantern. Many local people, including Scouts and Guides from the State of Palestine and Israel, are present and some accompany the ORF Peace Light to Tel Aviv airport from where it is flown to Austria.
For the last 25 years, representatives of Scout and Guide associations from Europe and beyond have been gathering in Vienna, Austria, to light their own candles from the Peace Light Lantern and carry it back to their local communities.
A unique feature of the event is the time constraint. Scouts and Guides in Europe can only collect the Peace Light at the sharing ceremony in Vienna, which will take place on 14 December 2013, and it is only then that the Light begins its journey by road, rail and ferry. The Light is never allowed to go out and it is cared for by different members of the accompanying group in turn to ensure it travels in safety to all who wish to share this symbol of peace and hope.
Each year, a growing number of Scouts and Guides brings the Light across the continent to other locations, and from there, it continues its journey to towns, villages and into our homes. Time is limited and a continued effort and determination is required to ensure it arrives in your community.