The Christingle

Have you been to a Christingle service this year?

The Christingle service is a special service that some churches hold during advent. I’ve not been to one this year, but I used to enjoy looking forward to them as a child at primary school.

The tradition started in Germany in 1747 as a symbol of Jesus bringing light and love to the world. Over the years, the Christingle developed from a single candle with a red ribbon, to the orange we have today.

But what does the Christingle mean?

The Orange – The World

The orange represents the world. The world with all its good and bad bits. All people of the world. The world which Jesus came to save.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The Ribbon – Jesus’ blood

This is the reminder of the reason Jesus was born into the world: what his ultimate was. To come and die for our sins.

 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. Romans 5:6 – 9

The Candle – Jesus is the light of the world

This is part of the Christingle that has always existed. It reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.

 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

The Four Cocktail Sticks – The Four Corners of the World and the Four Seasons

The cocktail sticks remind us that God’s Salvation was for the whole world, and that we need to spread the message that far. The reminder of the seasons shows that God is with us through all the seasons of our lives.

For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
    A time to plant and a time to harvest.

 A time to kill and a time to heal.
    A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
    A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
    A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 8

Dried Fruit or Sweets – God’s provision

Another reminder of how God provides for us. For all our needs, material and spiritual.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31 – 33

The Christingle is a good reminder of the fullness of the Christmas story. It’s not just about a little baby in a manger. There is so much more: Christmas is only part of the bigger story.

This Christmas, remember to focus on the bigger story.

And I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas and joyful New Year.