Local Events - Part 8

[smallhobbit]

Yes, back in church again this month. Christingle services are very popular at this time of year, both in churches and in schools. For those who haven't come across them before, these are Christingles (photo taken from the church Facebook page):



We begin with an orange, which symbolises the world. The red ribbon (or sticky tape, which is easier to attach) stands for God's love around the world, the candle is the light of Christ (candles are very popular in churches) and the four cocktail sticks are the four seasons, which have small sweets and dried fruit attached, for the fruits of the earth.

We held our family Christingle on Saturday and had 15 children sitting in a semi-circle all carefully holding their Christingle with the candles lit and it was lovely. Technically the fifteen month old wasn't holding her Christingle, daddy had it for her - she'd also happily eaten all the sweets/dried fruit while the vicar talked about the Christingle.

Yesterday was our family carol service (carol services being another great tradition in England), although ours wasn't quite as traditional as some.  

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Comments

[nagi_schwarz]

I've never heard of Christingles but those look lovely!

[smallhobbit]

Yes they are fun to make. They're a European custom, and a national charity The Children's Society promoted the idea in the UK and now uses it to raise money for children in need. They work really well with children.

[aome]

What a lovely tradition!

[smallhobbit]

It is. You can see why it's so popular.

[adafrog]

Neat.
I love that bottom one.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, the last one proved very popular.

[debriswoman]

A long time since I attended a christingle service…pleased all went well

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I doubt I'd go if I wasn't involved.

[ellieet]

I loved going to Christingles in the past; I went to one a few years ago where all the kids were badly behaved and one literally jumped up at the vicar who heroically held the christingle out of harm's way as she was trying to get to it while he was speaking. I was hoping to go to the carol service on Christmas Eve but sadly am working. Maybe say a little prayer for me over the Christmas period?

[smallhobbit]

We had no problems with the children, they were all happy and sensibly behaved and the toddler was supervised by her parents so didn't cause any difficulties.

I will most certainly say a prayer for you over Christmas.

[rusty_armour]

I've been curious about Christingles, so it's great to see a photo of them and read an explanation of how the symbolism works. It sounds like the family Christingle went well, especially if the Christingle itself could keep a fifteen-month-old child happy and occupied.

[smallhobbit]

I'm pleased to be able to share the idea. It all went very well and everyone enjoyed themselves.