We had fun making Christingles at a service yesterday and raised some money for the Children’s Society as well. If you enjoyed this, do come along to our crib service this Christmas Eve at 3.30pm – fun for all the family.
The Christingle is a visual and physical symbol which tells the gospel message of the Christmas story through its combined parts. It consists of:
- an orange representing the world;
- a red ribbon around it representing the blood of Jesus;
- soft sweets or dried fruits skewered on cocktail sticks pushed into the
orange, representing the fruits of the earth and the four seasons; and - a lit candle pushed into the centre of the orange, representing Jesus Christ
as the light of the world.
If you have a Christingle at home, why not light it and pray this prayer with your children:
Lord Jesus, I stretch out my hands and receive this gift, and I hold it tight
because it is mine.
My Christingle.
Light, fruit, sweets, colour, but so much more precious than this.
I hold in my hands a picture of your love.
I imagine all the other special things I might hold.
Lord Jesus, help me to remember those with little or nothing to hold,
especially other children who don’t have enough to eat or a safe place to live.
Today, as I hold my Christingle and remember you,
I pray that you would make me someone, like you, who will reach out my
opened hands to give and love like you do.
Amen.
Here are some photographs from the service – click on the pictures to enlarge them:
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- Singing carols together
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- The biggest Christingle ever!
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- The Blue Peter bit!
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- Crowding around to make a christingle
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- Everyone had a go
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- The lights shining in the darkness
Zak, Charlotte and Tom each read their testimony to us which was very moving and profound and really gave a sense of the Holy Spirit at work and with us as we shared in this public yet intimate moment. Zak was then Batptised which gave the other candidates and the congregation the opportunity to revist and reflect on their Baptism promises.
The Bishop then confirmed Charlotte, Zak and Tom reminding the congregation of the promises that they were making to support all three in their continuing journey of faith. We were then invited to welcome the newly confirmed by saying together “We welcome you in the fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly Father; we welcome you.” Then we shared the peace.
And so after a service filled with beautiful music, thought provoking words and warm fellowship we moved to the back of church where we enjoyed some delicious food, a wonderful celebration cake and lots of chat and laughter.
Ros Pickersgill had made large poppies so that we could write our own special messages and she also recited a wonderful poem that she had written which reflected the many people in the stories that people had shared for the exhibition.
A little before 11am we all moved outside onto a bustling Newbottle Street. Rector Sue said a few words and then we observed the silence together. We were joined by passers by who also wanted to show their respect.
Following the silence we returned inside and placed our poppies on the exhibition boards around the stories.
Following the service in church the crowds gathered around the Cenotaph in the bright Autumn sunshine for an act of remembrance in a silence broken only by birdsong. Watching the standards fall and rise to the bugle call evoked both sadness and a sense of pride. 
The wreaths around the newly refurbished cenotaph a lasting reminder to young and old. 
We shall remeber them.
