1. Christingle

2. The Christingle has its origins in a Moravian children's service held in a castle in Germany on Christmas Eve in 1747. Many years ago, children were asked to take a gift to put beside the crib in Church. One family had no money for gifts but were determined to take something. They found an orange which they felt would be okay, but were disappointed to find it was going moldy at the top. However, they thought they would scoop out the bad bits and put a candle in the top and turn it into a lantern. Thinking that it looked a bit ordinary, one of the girls took a red ribbon from her hair and tied it around the middle. They had difficulty getting it to stay in place, so fastened it with four small sticks, on the ends of which they put a few raisins. They took their lantern to church and were afraid of the reactions of the other children. However, the priest acknowledged their gift and told the congregation how special it was for the following reasons:

3. Christingle services may be held in Advent, at Christmas, or in Epiphany. The emphasis will vary according to the season, e.g. ‘the hope of light in the darkness’ (Advent), ‘the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world’ (Christmas), ‘God’s light for all people’ (Epiphany).

4. Much later, this simple candle was replaced by a more elaborate Christingle which is rich in symbolism. Does anybody know what the different parts of the Christingle may represent?

6. Discuss with your partner what the orange may represent.

7. Discuss with your partner what the red ribbon may represent.

8. Discuss with your partner what the fruits may represent.

9. Discuss with your partner what the cocktail sticks may represent.

10. Discuss with your partner what the candle may represent.

11. Our modern Christingle consists of: an orange... representing the world a red ribbon, tied round the orange... representing the blood of Jesus fruits and sweets, skewered on 4 cocktail sticks which are pushed into the orange... representing God's good gifts - the fruits of the earth and the four seasons Four cocktail sticks…representing the four seasons on earth a lighted candle, pushed into the centre of the orange... representing Christ, the light of the world