What is Christingle?When I was a child, we did not have Christingle services. I attended my first one in Carlisle about 14 years ago with my grandson and loved the atmosphere, the meaning, the spirit of Christingle. We thought we would share with you, a little explanation on the Christingle tradition.

Christingle is a Christian tradition, often celebrated during Advent and leading up to Christmas, particularly in Anglican, Methodist, and Catholic churches. The name "Christingle" comes from the combination of two words: "Christ" (referring to Jesus) and "tingle" (derived from the old English word for "little thing" or "symbol").

The Christingle service is both a symbolic and visual celebration of the light of Christ and the message of hope, joy, and love that Jesus brings into the world. The central part of the service is the creation of a Christingle—an orange, decorated with various items, which serves as a visual representation of Christian beliefs.

Components of a Christingle:

The Orange: Represents the world, or the creation that God made. Its round shape symbolizes the earth.The Red Ribbon: The red ribbon (or a red tape wrapped around the orange) represents the blood of Christ, reminding Christians of His sacrifice.The Four Toothpicks: These are placed in the orange to hold the other decorations. Each toothpick typically holds a different symbol: Fruits or sweets: Representing the fruits of the earth or the gifts of God to humanity. Nuts or raisins: Representing the people of the world. The Candle: A candle is placed in the centre of the orange, symbolising the light of Christ coming into the world, and the hope and joy that He brings to all people.

The Christingle Service:

During a Christingle service, the congregation often sings hymns, listens to Bible readings (usually focusing on the themes of light and hope), and participates in the lighting of the Christingles. The candles are lit as a symbol of Christ being the "Light of the World" and the service often ends with a prayer for peace, hope, and goodwill. 

Purpose and Meaning:

The Christingle service is a way for children and families to learn about the story of Christmas in a hands-on way. It's a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a reminder that, just as the candle illuminates the darkness, Jesus is the light who brings hope and peace to the world.In some traditions, the Christingle service may also be used as a fundraising event, with collections going to support charities that help children or those in need, making the service both a spiritual and charitable occasion. We are supporting the Children's Society. Christingle services are especially popular in December, as a way to prepare spiritually for Christmas, and they have become a cherished tradition in many churches worldwide.