Christingle - Origins and Meaning Thurstable and Winstree Team Ministry serving the parishes of Tolleshunt Knights with Tiptree, Great Braxted, Copford, Easthorpe, Messing, Inworth, Layer de la Haye, Layer Breton with Birch, and Layer Marney The 'Layer' Parishes Layer de la Haye • Layer Breton with Birch • Layer Marney Christingle This is a joyful all-age service to delight children and 'grown ups'. The Meaning and Origins of Christingle Every year thousands of churches now hold special Christingle services or celebrations between Advent and Candlemas. Christingle, which means 'Christ Light', is a symbol of the Christian faith. During the service each child is presented with a Christingle - an orange decorated with a candle, red ribbon, fruit and sweets. The orange represents the world, the red ribbon around it the blood of Christ, the fruit symbolises God's creation and the candle Jesus, the Light of the World. The Christingle Story The custom of the Christingle began in the Moravian Church and was first used as part of a Christmas Children's Festival in the Marienborn Congregation in Germany on the 24th December 1747.

No one knows for certain when the word "Christingle" was first used or from what it derived, but wherever the Moravians went in the great outreach of missionary evangelism in the 18th and 19th centuries they took with them the custom of the Christingle. The symbolism gradually developed and today in the Moravian Church in Britain, the Christingle consists of an orange representing the World, with the candle inserted in the centre and lit to represent Christ the Light of the World. The candle used to be held on a goose quill, part of which was split into fronds, on which were impaled nuts, fruits, raisins and sweets. These stood for the created order over which Christ is King, and for the fruits of the earth and the benefits that come to our lives through God's bounty and goodness. Today the fruit is usually slid onto cocktail sticks stuck into the orange, the wood still being part of God's created order. Sometimes red crepe paper is used to form a frill at the base of the candle which is a reminder of Christ's Passion, through which our redemption has come. A white frill often used denotes the purity of Christ's life as an example for us all.

The Christingle Service is usually held on the Sunday before Christmas, and is a children's celebration in which we place the child in the midst of all we do, just as the Christ child is the centre of all our lives. At the climax of the service, each child receives a lighted Christingle and in the magical moment of the darkened Church, the visual symbol tells the truth of the Christmas story, - that in the darkness of the world there has shined a great light. In the darkness, with the lighted Christingle, the children often sing the Traditional Moravian Carol: Morning Star, O Cheering sight. One story told about the origins of Christingle is this: 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 mouldy 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: The orange is round like the world. The candle stands tall and straight and gives light in the dark like the love of God. The red ribbon goes all around the 'world' and is a symbol of the blood Jesus shed when he died for us. The four sticks point in all directions and symbolise North, South, East and West - they also represent the four seasons. The fruit and nuts (or sometimes sweets!) represent the fruits of the earth, nurtured by the sunshine and the rain.

Recalling the Meaning of Christmas: The Christingle Celebration Ancient Britain ï¿½ Castles ï¿½ Churches/Cathedrals ï¿½ Houses/Manors ï¿½ Museums ï¿½ Towns ï¿½ Countryside ï¿½ London ï¿½ History & Folklore ï¿½ Travel Tips Test daily news Recalling the Meaning of Christmas: The Christingle Celebration by Liz Hearn In 1749 in a church in Germany a Bishop started a Christmas tradition that is loved by children and adults, and enjoyed in Britain today and around the world. His name was Bishop John de Watteville and he led worship among the Moravian Congregation in Marienborn, Germany. He was the creator of the Christingle service. Christingle means "Christ-Light." When the children are all charged up with energy about nativity plays, gifts and shopping, Santa Claus and parties the Christingle service is a nice way to remind them of the bigger picture of who this new baby Jesus is and what he came to do.

The simple candle service that John de Watteville introduced showed children then, as it does now, that through the gift of a lighted candle we can remember that this baby Jesus brought light into darkness and through the looped red ribbon that Jesus shed his blood and died for our salvation. The Christingle has developed over the last 250 years from a simple white candle to the Christingle that is made today. There is something special about an evening service for children. The church is decorated for Christmas and the cold and dark in the church makes the experience especially atmospheric. The service is based around explaining the symbolism in the Christingle and as each part in explained the Christingles are assembled. When all is assembled the lights in the church are dimmed and the candles lighted. Each child is given a Christingle candle to take home with them. The candle light on the excited children's faces is a beautiful sight. In John de Watteville's day it is recorded that the children tried to keep their candles alight the whole way home. The use of the service was spread throughout the world by the Moravian church and has been celebrated in many countries including the USA.

In 1968 the Christingle Service was brought to the Anglican Church of England, its use promoted by The Children's Society. This charity works in the UK with children at risk of homelessness on the streets, disabled children, children in trouble with the law, and young refugees. The Society encourages churches and community groups to have a Christingle service and the donated offering is often given to the Children's Society to support their children's work throughout the year. They also have a website where Christingle services that are planned can be registered. If you are looking for a service near you, this is one great way to find where and when they are happening all over the United Kingdom. The service was created on 20th December 1749 and it is now often the service held the last Sunday evening before Christmas or on Christmas Eve. How to make a Christingle A sweet, juicy, shiny orange represents the goodness of the earth that God created. Four sticks (cocktail sticks or tooth picks) are put into four corners of the top side of the orange. These represent the four seasons of the year. Onto each stick is threaded dried fruit like sultanas or raisins.

This represents all the goodness of the fruit of the earth and the richness of animals and birds that God has provided on his earth. Sometimes we use small jelly sweets or candy. A red ribbon wrapped around the orange and fixed in place with a pin represents the blood of Jesus who died for the salvation of the whole world. In the Moravian tradition today a ribbon is looped around a candle at its base. The white candle is placed in the very top of the orange into a pre-prepared hole. Sometimes some foil is used to help fix the candle into position. This candle represents Jesus, the light of the world, God's son. In the Moravian tradition it would be made from beeswax and would also represent Christ's purity, as this type of candle burns cleanly. A modern British Christmas is secular in so many ways. Putting the "Christ" back into Christmas is an important part of the history of this festival period in England. Christianity might not be your thing; however, everyone is welcome to witness and take part in this traditional service. More Information: Christingle - What does it mean? - Christian Teaching - thisischurch.com What does it mean . . .?

Christingle Christingle service are held in churches, usually between Advent and Candlemas. It is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to join in, using oranges to create visible symbols of the Christian message. The Christingle has its origins in a Moravian children's service held in a castle in Germany on Christmas Eve in 1747. The bishop conducting the informal service gave each child a lighted candle, tied with a red ribbon, in memory of the Saviour's coming which he said has kindled a flame in each heart which keeps burning "to His joy, and our happiness". Much later, this simple candle was replaced by a more elaborate Christingle which is rich in symbolism. 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 a lighted candle, pushed into the centre of the orange representing Christ, the light of the world For many years churches all over the world have made Christingles to remind them that Christ is the light who came into the world at Christmas.

The Christingle orange represents the world, John reminds us that "Jesus was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him". (Jn 1 v 10 - 11). The red ribbon of the Christingle represents the blood of Jesus which was shed for us so that our sins may be forgiven. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin". (1 Jn 1 v 7). The fruits and sweets on the four skewers represent God's gifts to us, the fruits of the earth and the four seasons. "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease". (Gen 8 v 22). The lighted candle, pushed into the centre of the orange, represents Christ, the light of the world. "He [Jesus] said, "I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life"." (John 8 v 12). You can see an example of our Christingle service by clicking here. The Meaning of Christingle The Meaning of the Christingle A typical Christingle Christingle means ‘Christ’s Light’ and it is a symbol of the Christian faith. Lots of churches hold Christingle services around Christmas time. The custom of giving out lighted candles in these services began in Germany in 1747 but it wasn't introduced to the Anglican Church in England until 1968. Christingles are made up of different parts, each one being there to remind us of something. The orange represents the world. The candle reminds Christians of Jesus who they believe to be the light of the world. The red ribbon goes all round the 'world' and being the colour of blood, reminds Christians that Jesus died. The four cocktail sticks could have either of two meanings; the four seasons or the four corners of the world. The sweets (or sometimes dried fruit) remind Christians of God's gifts to the world including kindness and love. The foil is only there to catch waxy drips from the candle.

BBC - Tees - Faith - How to make a Christingle You are in: Tees > Faith > Faith Features > How to make a Christingle A Christingle How to make a Christingle A Christingle meaning 'Christ Light' is a symbol of the Christian Faith. The name may not be familiar but you'll certainly recognise the familiar looking fruit and foil decoration. They're great fun to make during the festive period. A growing number of churches hold Christingle services at or around Christmas. The services derive from a Moravian custom of distributing lighted candles to children on Christmas Eve in order to celebrate Christ, the Light of the world. So what is a Christingle? Even if you haven't heard of the word you'll certainly recognise one. A Christingle is made up of an orange representing the world with a red ribbon around it representing the blood of Jesus. Fruits and sweets (usually dolly mixtures) are skewered on 4 cocktail sticks which are pushed into the orange representing the fruits of the earth and the four seasons.And finally a lighted candle is pushed into the centre of the orange representing Christ, the light of the world Christingle services may be held in Advent, at Christmas, or in Epiphany.

Meaning The meaning of the Christingle will vary according to the season. At Advent it represents the hope of light in the darkness. At Christmas it symbolises the birth of Jesus, Light of the world. And at Ephiphany God’s light for all people. But you don't need to attend a service to enjoy a Christingle. Make your own. They're great for getting the children involved in preparing for Christmas. Here's our step by step guide to making your own. Making a Christingle Fasten a piece of red sticky tape or ribbon around the middle of the orange. Cut a small cross in the top of each orange (place it on a tray to catch the juice) and lay a square of silver foil (75mm/3in square) over the cross. Place a candle on top and wedge it firmly into the orange. The foil will help prevent hot wax running onto a child’s hand. Load four cocktail sticks with raisins, sultanas, cherries or soft sweets and insert them into the orange around the base of the candle. Store the Christingles upright in trays in a cool place. It may be necessary to take off a thin slice to form a flat base. Alternatively use greengrocer’s fruit trays.

There you go! Send us photos of your Christingle for our gallery email: tees@bbc.co.uk > last updated: 13/12/2008 at 15:11 created: 05/12/2007 Christingle: An intergenerational Christmas Eve celebration from the Moravian tradition | Reformed Worship Christingle: An intergenerational Christmas Eve celebration from the Moravian tradition RW 37 The Christingle Service described on these pages is a service of light and ceremony, of song and symbol. Christingle means "Christ light," and the service focuses the congregation's attention on the hope and joy that light brings to a dark world. In the dark of winter, the coming of Christ, the light of the world, is a powerful message of hope. A Christingle is made from an orange, which represents the world that God made, and a candle, which represents Jesus, the light of the world.

(See the service for a detailed description of the Christingle symbols.) Christingles can be used in liturgical worship in Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus; at Christmas, when we celebrate Christ's birth; or during Epiphany, when we focus on the revelation of Christ. The service on these pages is designed for use at Christmas, but with minor adaptations to the hymns, would be equally suitable for Advent or Epiphany. The first candle lit in the service is referred to as the "Christ light." It should be a larger candle, clearly visible to the congregation. Churches that have Advent wreaths may wish to place the Christ light in the middle of the wreath. During the service all the Christingles are lit from the first Christ light as a reminder that we can only shine as lights in the world because Jesus is our light. The strength of a symbol lies in its ability to communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds. For this reason, while enough explanation of the Christingle symbolism is given to point people in the direction of understanding, much is left unsaid to allow people to experience the light in the darkness.

Organizing the Christingle Service This Christingle liturgy was developed and used at All Saints Episcopal Church, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. All Saints is a small church with a congregation drawn from many different social and cultural backgrounds. The liturgy here has been adapted as we have learned by experience what works for us. One of the things we learned is that everyone wants to be involved in the service. The first year we tried it, we had only the children light the Christingles. But because the adults in our congregation wanted to be more than spectators, we now include them in the Christingle lighting as well. At All Saints the children share the leadership of the service with the minister and another adult, referred to here as "the leader," who guides them through the service. In addition, we have a storyteller, an organist, a pianist, and two guitarists. One thing we know from experience is that large numbers are not necessary. All Saints has only eight children between the ages of four and thirteen and all of them take part in the service. The Christingle prayers could be led either by one child or by up to six different children.

Children could also be involved in the service in other ways, such as taking the light to the congregation or singing solo verses of carols. Making the Christingles We begin the service in the Parish Hall, where long tables are set up with all the necessary components for making Christingles. People start at one end with an orange and move along the tables, adding items to their Christingles (there are people at each table who explain what to do). This is an essential part of the service, bringing everyone together for an enjoyable "hands on" activity that is as much an offering to God as the formal liturgy that follows. We do not explain the meaning of the various parts of the Christingle at this stage; those who have been a part of this service before often remember, but newcomers have to wait for the service to find the answers. (The children love to keep the secret!) At the beginning of the service, the manger and the unlit Christ light are positioned as shown in the diagram (see below). The benches (or kneelers) are in place for the children to sit on with their music and percussion instruments. The manger is filled with sand to hold the Christingles.

The essence of the service is simplicity so that the symbol of light can speak for itself. When the service begins, the only light comes from candles along the aisles and the Advent Wreath. Gradually, Christingles are lit, beginning with the Christ light, which is the source of light for all the other candles. Some of the candles are placed together in the manger, serving the double function of producing a concentration of light and relieving the children of their Christingles fairly early in the service. THE SERVICE Carol: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" PsH 340, PH 41, RL 195, TH 208 (one or two stanzas) [The children, minister, and leader enter during this hymn and gather around the Christ light and the manger.] Greeting and Welcome Christ has brought us out of darkness To live in his marvelous light Brothers and sisters in Christ, welcome to this Christingle service. We are here in God's presence, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Together we will hear the story of the coming of Jesus, and offer our thanksgiving to God.

Carol: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (stanza 3: "Sing, choirs of angels") Bidding Prayer Once the world was so dark that God could hardly be seen. Then, God sent Jesus. [The minister lights the Christ light] Now, because God sent Jesus, everyone may see God. [Minister children, and leader hold up their Christingles] This is a Christingle. Christingle means "Christ light." Let us pray. [Each child who is leading a prayer lights his or her Christingle from the Christ light before praying. This works smoothly if each Christingle is lit during the previous prayer.] Christingle Prayers Child 1 The Christingle is round like the world we live in. So tonight we pray for God's round world and all the people who live in it. Amen. We pray that all Christians will shine with the light of Christ in the world. Amen. We pray that everyone will come to know the light of Christ in their lives. Amen. Child 4 We pray that our leaders, teachers, nurses, and doctors will be servants of the light of Christ in this world. Amen.

Child 5 We pray that all hungry or homeless children will find comfort in the light of Christ. Amen. Child 6 We pray for all people who are sick or afraid, lonely or sad, that they may be cheered by the light of Christ. Amen. Minister We commend all the people we love and all people in need to God. We say together the prayer that Christ taught us: Prayer The Lord's Prayer [All remaining children light their Christingles The children go to the congregation and light their Christingles, allowing the congregation to pass the light along the rows Wlien all Christingles are lit and the cluldien are bach in their places, the minister prays.] Minister May God our Father, who sent Jesus to be the light of the world, make us shine with his love, so that we are quick to serve, help, and comfort anyone in need, and ready to follow where Jesus leads us. Amen.

Carol "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" Hymnbook 1982 490 or "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" PsH 356, PH 29, RL 224, SFL 131, TH 224 or "Arise, Your Light Has Come" PH 411, RL 418 [The children place their Christingles in the manger during this carol.] Litany of Thanksgiving and Lighting of the Christingles [The litany may be spoken by the leader or minister During the litany it may be appropriate to continue, quietly the instrumental music from the previous carol.] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The true light, which gives light to everyone, came into the world. Glory to the newborn king. Jesus, the light of the world. God is light, in him there is no darkness at all. Although darkness covered the earth and the people lived in thick darkness, God's glory appeared over us. The Lord is our everlasting light.

Glory to the newborn king. Jesus, the light of the world. Jesus came to the people who walked in darkness. He is the light of the world. He came to his own home, and the people did not accept him. But to all who receive him he gives power to become children of God. Glory to the newborn king. Jesus, the light of the world. The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a Father's only Son, full of grace and truth; To Jesus, light of the world, to God the Creator, who said "Let there be light," to the Holy Spirit, bringing light to our lives, be praise and glory, now and forever. Glory to the newborn king. Jesus, the light of the world. Explanation of the Christingle Symbolism Christingle means "Christ light." The tradition of making Christingles comes to us from Moravia, where the first Christingle service was held on Christmas Eve, 1747. The orange is round, like the world we live in, and reminds us of the world, which God created and loves.

The candle the light of the world who calls us, too, to shine as light in the darkness. Jesus is pure and holy; the white frill reminds us of Jesus' purity. The red ribbon speaks of the blood of Jesus which he shed for the sins of the world; just as the ribbon is wrapped around the orange, so Jesus' love reaches all around the world. The four toothpicks holding fruit, nuts, and candy, represent the four seasons of the year during which God provides for all of our needs, of which food is just one. As we look at our Christingles, let us give thanks for all God's goodness to us. Blessed are you, God of creation. For all your gifts we give you thanks and praise. Carol: "Christingle Carol" (sung by the children) [The lights are turned on and the congregation extinguish their Christingles.] The Story of Jesus' Birth [The children sit around the manger to listen to the story of Jesus' birth.

The story is told by one or more storytellers, sitting on a stool.] The Nativity (from Luke 2:1-7) Once, many, many, many years ago, in the country of Israel, far across the sea, on the other side of the world from us, a very special event took place. It happened when the emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered that a census, a count of all the people, should be taken throughout the whole world. Everyone had to register all the members of their family, and they had to do this by going to the town where their great, great, great, great, great, great, ever so many great, grandfather lived. There was a couple named Mary and Joseph, who lived in the village of Nazareth. They had to go down south to the town of Bethlehem, where King David had once lived, because he was their great, great, great, great, great, great, ever so many great, grandfather. It probably took Mary and Joseph three or four days to travel to Bethlehem. They took their donkey, which Mary rode with Joseph walking alongside. Mary was pregnant, and their baby was almost due.

Joseph was sorry that Mary had to go on this long journey at this time in her pregnancy, but he couldn't leave her behind. And besides, Mary wanted to have Joseph with her whenever the baby was to be born. So there wasn't anything to do except for both of them to go to Bethlehem. When they got there, the town was absolutely bustling with all the visitors. There were people everywhere and activities going on all over the place because everyone had come for the census. Joseph tried to find somewhere for them to stay, but every hotel and inn in the town was full. Finally, they found one whose kind owner, although he didn't have any room for them inside the inn, made a place for them in the stables. There they had a shelter for the night from the cold weather. After the long days of the Journey, the time came for Mary to have her baby. There in the stable, with the animals in their stalls, her first son was born. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in the manger. Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, as an angel had told them to do.

Carol "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy" Hymnal: A Worship Book 202 or "Away in a Manger" PsH 348, PH 24, RL 213, SFL 129, TH 204 The Announcement to the Shepherds (from Luke 2:8-14) On the hills just outside of Bethlehem there were some shepherds spending the night with their flocks of sheep. It was dark and quiet on the hillside. Suddenly, there was a great light glistening in the sky, and they saw an angel. The glory of the Lord shone on them. They were so amazed that they were very frightened. Nothing like this had ever happened to them before. But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid. I bring you good news which will be a great joy to all people. Today, in the town of Bethlehem, a Savior has been born, Christ the Lord.

This will be the sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a huge crowd of heaven's angels with the first angel, and they filled the whole sky with their song, "Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth." Carol "The First Nowell" PHS 56, RL 223 or "Angels, We Have Heard on High" PsH 347, PH 23, RL 206,SFL 133, TH 214 or "Angels, from the Realms of Glory" PsH 354, PH 22, RL 229, TH 218 The Visit of the Shepherds (from Luke 2:15-20) When the angels had left and gone back to the heavens, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the angels have told us about." So they left their sheep on the hillside and hurried off to Bethlehem.

When they got there, they looked around until they found Mary and Joseph in the stable, with baby Jesus lying in the manger. When they saw them, they told Mary and Joseph all the things that the angels had said about the child. Then the shepherds returned to their flocks, singing and praising God all the way back. It had been just as the angels said it would be. Carol "How Great Our Joy" The Baptist Hymnal 108 or "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" PsH 215, PH 58, RL 199, TH 222 or "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" PsH 356, PH 29, RL 224, SFL 131, TH 224 The Visit of the Wise Men (from Matthew 2:1-11) When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Herod was king of Israel. He lived in a palace in Jerusalem. Soon after Jesus' birth, some men who studied the stars came from the east to Jerusalem. They had seen a new and special star in the sky, which showed them that a king had been born.

They had traveled a long way to find the new king. They asked people in Jerusalem, "Where is the baby who is born to be king of the Jews?" King Herod heard about this. It made him very upset because he was the king of Israel, and he didn't know anything about any baby who was going to grow up and be king instead of him. So he called the Jewish chief priest and teachers of the law to the palace, and he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. They said, "In Bethlehem, because that's what the prophet Micah said many years ago." So Herod called the wise men who'd come from the east to a secret meeting. He asked them exactly what time the star had appeared. They told him. Then he sent them on to Bethlehem, and he said, "When you get there, search and find the child. Then come and tell me so I can go to Bethlehem and worship him too." Away they went to Bethlehem. The star led them all the way. Eventually it stopped just over the place where Jesus was staying. The wise men were very happy about that. They went inside the house and saw the baby with his mother, Mary. They knelt down and worshiped him.

Then they opened their bags and took out their gifts—gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Carol "As with Gladness Men of Old" PsH 358, PH 63, RL 228, SFL 143, TH 226 or "What Child Is This" PH 53, RL 217, TH 213 or "Unto Us a Boy Is Born" RL 226 Conclusion God our Father, you give light to this world so that it shines with your glory: lead us to see the beauty of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, light of the world, make our lives pure so that we may shine with your light in this world for you. Amen. Holy Spirit, moving across the face of the earth, breathing new life and shedding new light; renew us as we shine with the light of Christ in the world. Amen. "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" PH 38, TH 200 or "Hark!

the Herald Angels Sing" PsH 345, PH 31, RL 196, TH 203 The Benediction The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTINGLE To make a Christingle you need â€¢ an orange â€¢ a white candle about 4-6" tall â€¢ a piece of white paper 1.5" x 3" â€¢ a pair of scissors â€¢ a piece of red ribbon about 10" long â€¢ four toothpicks â€¢ a selection of raisins, popcorn, nuts, or candy 1. Score a small cross in the top of the orange with the knife, just deep enough to break through the peel. 2. Make twelve to fifteen cuts about 3/4 of an inch deep along the long side of the piece of paper to create a frill. 3.

Wrap the frill around the base of the candle and push the candle gently into the orange where you made the score marks. 4. Curl the frill away from the candle to make a ruffle at the base of the candle. 5. Tie the ribbon around the circumference of the orange. 6. Slide the raisins, popcorn, nuts, or candy onto the toothpicks, covering about half the length of the pick. Since the popcorn and nuts tend to split, it helps to "grease" the pick by running a raisin up it first. 7. Stick the four toothpicks into the top half of the orange, equally spaced around the orange. 8. Hold the Christingle in the palm of the hand. It is probably wise to rest it on a napkin unless you have candles that will not drip. This article was submitted by Kevin Hackett, a member of the Community of Celebration at Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. The community describes itself this way: "We're a religious order in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, part of the Society of the Community of Celebration, established in the Anglican Church in England and Scodand.

Our roots stretch back nearly 30 years to Houston's inner-city Church of the Redeemer, and today we have communities in Aliquippa (Pittsburgh) and south London, England." Moravian Church of the British Province - Moravian Christingle Moravian Christingle The Moravian Christingle This Moravian Christmas celebration has been widely adopted by churches of other denominations and we receive many enquiries as to its origin and meaning. The idea of the Christingle began in the Moravian congregation of Marienborn, Germany, on 20th December, 1747. At a children’s service, hymns were sung and the minister, John de Watteville, read verses which the children had written to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He then explained to the children the happiness that had come to people through Jesus, “who has kindled in each little heart a flame which keeps burning to their joy and our happiness”. To make the point even clearer, each child then received a little lighted wax candle, tied round with a red ribbon. The minister ended the service with this prayer, “Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these children’s hearts, that theirs like Thine become”.

The Marienborn Diary concludes, “hereupon the children went full of joy with their lighted candles to their rooms and so went glad and happy to bed”. The Moravian Church took the custom of this service with them to Labrador and Pennsylvania, to Tibet and Suriname, to the Caribbean and South Africa, and people in each part of the world adapted it for their own use. No one knows for certain when the word “Christingle” was first used or from what it is derived. Various suggestions have been made. One is that it comes from the old Saxon word “ingle” (fire), meaning “Christ-fire or light”. Another is that it derives from the German “engel” (angel), meaning “Christ-angel”, or it may derive from the German “kindle” (child), meaning “Christ-child”. The symbolism gradually developed, and today in the Moravian Church in the British Province, the Christingle consists of an orange, representing the world, with a lighted candle to represent Christ, the Light of the World. Nuts, raisins and sweets on cocktail sticks around the candle represent God’s bounty and goodness in providing the fruits of the earth.

Red paper, forming a frill around the base of the candle, reminds us of the blood of Christ shed for all people on the cross at Calvary. In Moravian churches, the Christingle Service is usually held on the Sunday before Christmas or on Christmas Eve. Essentially, it is a children’s service, which reminds us that the Christ-child lies at the heart of our Christmas celebrations. The service usually includes the traditional Moravian carol:- Morning Star, O cheering sight! Ere thou cam’st how dark earth’s night! Jesus mine, What is Christingle, what does it mean? | The Children's Society Home » What you can do » Fundraising and events » Christingle » What is Christingle? What is Christingle? Christingle is a celebratory event that takes place in thousands of churches and schools across the country, raising funds that help us continue our work supporting young people Christingle celebrations are named after the Christingles that are lit during the service. Christingles are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle. Find out more about the meaning of each element of the Christingle below.

The symbolism of Christingle Each piece of the Christingle holds special symbolism to help children understand the importance of Jesus and the Gospel, and its relevance at Christmas time. The orange represents the world The red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and blood of Christ The sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creations The lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in darkness Want to have a go at making a Christingle? Watch our handy tutorial video and learn how to make your own. What happens at a Christingle celebration? From traditional services to outdoor events, street parades and Messy Christingles, there is no one way to hold a Christingle celebration. Some common aspects of the services include prayers, readings, hymns or carols and a collection in support of our work – not to mention the all important lighting of the Christingles, a moment filled with awe and wonder for all. Because Christingle was specifically created with children in mind, the celebrations are the perfect event to take children along to, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages – even if they don’t regularly attend church.

By taking part in Christingle this year, you too can enjoy the warmth and vibrancy of this wonderful celebration and play a key part in transforming the lives of thousands of children. Everything you need

Question: In the Christian festival of Christingle, which fruit is used to represent the world?
Answer: ORANGE