United Christingle Service
Date/Time
Date(s) - 17/12/2023
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location
St Philip and St James’ Church
Category(ies)
Direct Link to Live-stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0nEx01A4ng
Order of Service: Christingle 2023 PDF
This service is based on the Moravian custom of the Christingle. The word ‘Christingle’ means Christ-light, and the tradition originated in the Moravian Church in 1747. There are a number of symbols associated with the Christingle which will be explained during the service but the predominant theme is:
Christ, the light of the world.
The Christingle consists of:
• an orange representing the world with
• a red ribbon around it representing the blood of Jesus (i.e. his death on the cross for our sins),
• sweets skewered on 4 cocktail sticks which are pushed into the orange representing the fruits of the earth and the four seasons
• a lighted candle is pushed into the centre of the orange representing Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Jesus describes himself in the Bible, in John chapter 8 v. 12, in this way: ‘I am the Light of the World, if you follow me you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’ (New Living Translation)
• and, in some services, as we do here, tin foil around the base of the candle to reflect Christ’s light and goodness
This service is very much geared towards children, as each child receives a Christingle and we also bless the crib at this service. The children’s sense of excitement and anticipation of Christmas is wonderful!