Transcription of Creative ideas for informal Christingles
1 The Children s Society 2020. Charity registration No. 221124 XTC154f/0820 XTC096d_20By Nick Harding1 Creative ideas for informal ChristinglesIntroduction to Christingle and The Children s SocietyChristingle is a candle-lit, festive celebration that s perfect for bringing families and communities together. It was first invented by the Moravian church in the 1700s, but the celebration as we know it was introduced to the Church of England by The Children s Society in the 1960s. The celebration is named after the Christingles that are lit during it. Christingles are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle. They have been part of our history for over 50 years and have helped raise millions of pounds to help this country s most vulnerable children.
2 Each year we ask those who celebrate Christingle to hold a collection to support children and young people in some of the darkest situations Children s SocietyFounded in 1881 by Sunday School teacher Edward Rudolf, for the last 139 years The Children s Society has supported millions of this country s children and restored hope to their lives. We believe in building a society that works for every child , so that they are safe, happy and free to fulfil their incredible run vital local services that provide vulnerable children across the country with the support, advice and guidance that they need, and we also campaign to make children s lives better and change the systems that are placing them in with our amazing supporters, we re improving life for children today and working to create a society where every child has hope for their resources are designed to be used in a more informal style of Christingle service, whether in church, caf church, a house group or other setting.
3 There are ideas for Christingles at any time, followed by ideas for Christingles at Advent, on Christmas Eve, and at Epiphany and Candlemas. Please feel free to adapt this resource to suit your own context. Also see Talks and Sermons and Christingle Order of Service for further suggestions for your service. For more information about the work of The Children s Society, please see the leaflet How Christingle helps , available at authorThese resources were written by Nick Harding, children s ministry consultant and a Reader in the Church of a Christingle Develop Christingle corners around your church space or room to comply with social distancing, you may need to ask people to visit each station in household groups or as individuals, limiting the number at each station at any one time.
4 Each one helps the children and adults create their own Christingle. You will need leaders in each corner explaining the significance of each part of the Christingle. Here are examples: The orange. Prepare the oranges by cutting downwards into the top so the candle can be easily placed in it later. Invite each person to take an orange, where appropriate helping people cut across the base so it stands. Explain God s creation of the world, and ask each person to mention a wonderful place in God s world, or provide post-it notes for people to write on. They then move on to the next corner . The red band. Prepare strips of ribbon or red tape ready for everyone. Invite people to stick it around the orange, explaining that it reminds us of Jesus, and his love that goes on and on like an everlasting band.
5 The seasons and fruits. Prepare your cocktail sticks in advance by adding fruit or sweets whatever you find works well. Ask each person to take four cocktail sticks and to stick them in their orange, naming each season as they do so. Ask people which season is their favourite, and explain that all seasons are important, and God designed it like that so things can grow and we can be fed. The candle. Have candles ready with small squares of foil to go with them (these are used in case the wax drips). Invite people to take a candle, and discuss the light that Jesus brings into the lives of all people. Ask people to suggest dark things in the world, and remind them that Jesus brings light. Amending this resource in the light of Covid-19 restrictions Please note that this resource was written before the Coronavirus pandemic and restrictions placed on gatherings for public worship.
6 Feel free to adapt this resource for your own context, whether holding a socially distanced or online Christingle. Some activities may not be possible in these contexts or require modification, eg shouting out might need to be replaced by saying in a quieter voice; prayer stations may still be possible but people may need to visit them in household groups or as individuals and you need to allow more time for people to get round them. Please always follow the latest Governement guidelines, which can be found at and the guidance of your denomination and for Christingles at any time 3 Creative ideas for Christingles in Advent 5 Creative ideas for Christingles on Christmas Eve 7 Creative ideas for Christingles at Epiphany 10 Creative ideas for Christingles at Candlemas 13 Songs for Christingle celebrations 153 ideas for Christingles at any timeContentsFilling the gaps Say these Bible quotes out loud one by one, leaving gaps for the words in bold, asking everyone who knows them to say the missing words out loud.
7 Genesis And God said, Let there be light and there was No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?John The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome 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. Spreading the love Get some very long red ribbons, or red wool. Talk about the red band that goes around the Christingle as a reminder that Jesus gave everything to show his love for all people, and no one is not loved by Jesus.
8 Then spread the ribbons or wool around so that every person is holding it, and is connected with others. Try to keep your own handling of the ribbon to a minimum, and sanitise your hands the lightPass the candle light on from one candle to another by holding the lit candle still, and lighting the other from that flame. As the light is passed from one to another the person with the lit candle says I give you the light and the one lighting theirs says I take the light and pass it on . This is repeated as the light is passed to each everywhere Once all the Christingles are lit, remind everyone to be careful with them, and adults to pay special attention to younger people. Turn off the lights, but have a strong, powerful torch or spotlight ready.
9 Then shine the light around the building, stopping every now and again and saying The light of Jesus is everywhere , inviting everyone to say it after you. Repeat this a few times, shining the light into different places, each time saying a different one of these: The light shines on us. The light shines in the dark places of our lives. The light shines on our town/village. The light shines on those in need. The light shines on people across the world. 4 Introduction Have some flipcharts and paper available, or sheets of paper stuck on the wall. Have plenty of marker pens available so only one person needs to use each one. Put the used ones aside for wiping before being used again. Invite everyone (in socially distanced groups if necessary) to write or draw some things they are getting ready for during this Advent time leading up to Christmas.
10 Go around and read out a few of the things written. Then interview one or two of the group who have prepared the Christingles for this service. What have they done to get ready for this service? Finally, ask everyone to think about what young people who have an unhappy time at home and are not expecting any presents or fun at Christmas will be doing. As we get ready for Christmas during Advent, it s good to remember that some people find this a difficult time. Prayers Introduce the prayer time by saying a little more about the season of Advent: Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of Jesus, the light of the world. During Advent it is good to stop and think a bit more about Jesus, and how he came to change the world.
