A Christingle service is a joyful, symbolic, and typically held during Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It uses a Christingle, a decorated orange with a candle, to symbolise the world and the light of Christ. These services are often enjoyed by children and families and are a way to explore the Christmas story. 

What is a Christingle?

A symbol
A Christingle is a decorated orange, often with a red ribbon, sweets or dried fruit, and a candle on top.

Symbolism
Each element represents something important:

  • The orange represents the world.
  • The red ribbon symbolizes the blood of Christ.
  • The sweets/dried fruit represent God's creation.
  • The lit candle represents Jesus as the light of the world, bringing hope. 
What happens at a Christingle service?
Symbolic lighting
The Christingles are lit during the service, symbolizing the light of Christ. 

Celebration
Christingle services are a joyful way to celebrate the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus. 

Why are Christingle services popular?

  • Family-friendly: They are designed to be engaging for children and families. 
  • Symbolic: The Christingles provide a concrete visual representation of the Christmas story. 
Where did Christingle come from?
Moravian tradition: The custom of making Christingles originated in Moravian churches in Germany in the 1700s.

For an example of our Christingle Service order or service held during Open Door, please click here.

Details of when the service is held will be announced in The Grapevine and on Social Media at the appropriate time.