Rector's Message for December 2024

At the Mucklestone Christingle Service I will ask the children how they feel about the dark. Hands up who is scared of the dark? Well in the dark, you don’t know where you are going or what you are likely to bump into. That’s a bit scary. In the dark there is nothing as full of comfort as a light. You know how if you are walking along a dark path, even if you know every inch of it, you feel better if you have a torch to shine? You know what a difference streetlight can make – how you miss them if some of them are broken. There are lights that guide, like a lighthouse, or the landing lights of an airfield.

During the Christingle Service, I talked about the light of Christ. So, what is a Christingle? Well, 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 lit candles in these services comes from the Moravian Church in Germany in 1747 but it wasn’t introduced to England until 1968. These days, Christingle services bring together family and friends of all ages.

A Christingle works as a reminder. A Christingle helps us remember things about Jesus, which makes sense because Christmas is all about Jesus and we want to remember him, especially at this time of year. On Christmas Eve 1747, which was, quite a few years ago a children’s service took place in a German Castle. John De Watteville was a bishop in the Moravian Church who wanted to tell everyone how much God loved them. He wanted to find a way to tell the children in his village about Jesus and God. Bishop John prayed, asking God to give him a good idea. In time, God answered his prayer and gave him a very good idea. It was such a good idea that it is still used today at Christmas time. So, each child was given a lighted candle, tied with a red ribbon, in memory of Jesus’ return to this world. The idea was to help us to understand that Jesus has kindled a flame in our hearts which keeps burning to his joy, and our happiness. Because Christingle means Christ Light it reminds us that Christ is the light who came into the world at Christmas. Light is a symbol of hope and goodness.

Orange

The orange reminds us that God made the world. God is our creator. God didn’t just make us. God made everything. There’s nothing in the whole wide world that God didn’t make. And because of that, he deserves all the praise and all the glory for doing such a brilliant job - for making the world. The Christingle reminds us of that.

Candle

The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world. A great verse from the Bible to help us understand that is John 8:12. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Jesus said he was the light of the world. Let’s think about what that means. When it’s dark we’re not quite sure what’s going on, are we? We can’t see anything and nothing makes sense. Jesus came into a dark world and lit it up with his presence.

Ribbon

The ribbon reminds us of Jesus’ blood which was shed on the cross. The people in charge in the first century did not like what Jesus had to say about looking out for one another and sharing the good things that God has given us. They hated Jesus and they killed him. Jesus knew they were going to do this, but he did not run away or change anything that he had said to make the rulers more comfortable.

Fruit

The fruit reminds us that through the four seasons of the year, God is very good to us. A great verse from the Bible to help us understand that is John 10:10. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Jesus said he came to give us the best life possible. He said that he came so that every single one of us here might have a full and complete life. Isn’t that amazing? In the same way, Jesus said that he came to give us a full and wonderful life. He loves us so much that he wants what’s best for us. The Christingle reminds us of that.

Conclusion

Jesus said I am the light of the world. As Christians, we try to follow the example of Jesus and live our lives as lights shining in the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8v12) So light is a symbol of hope for everyone. As I said earlier the light of the world is Christ. And the light of Christ was like a magnet drawing people to himself, as the wise men were drawn by the Epiphany Star. But we who are Jesus’ disciples are also the light of the world.

So how bright is your light? Is it so dazzling that other people see our good works and glorify God? Or do we sometimes let our lamps go out for want of oil? Our lamps are kept alight through contact with the Lord Jesus who is the source of all light. So, let us thank God that Jesus bids us shine like a clear pure light. Let us say ‘Thank you’ to God our Heavenly Father for all that Christmas means to us. For his great love in giving Jesus to be born on the first Christmas Day to share our life with us. For Christmas lights and laughter, carols and cards, for presents and parties. For our homes, for comfort and safety, and the love of our families. For the light of the star leading people to Bethlehem and the manger to see Jesus, the Light of the World. For the worldwide family of your Church and for our freedom to share your light with others. Amen.