At 6.00pm on Sunday 13th
December, around 90 people of all ages gathered in the church to celebrate our
Christingle Service. Jeremy explained
how the Christingle had originated and the meaning of the orange, the red
ribbon, the candle and the cocktail sticks decorated with fruit and sweets, and
then everyone, young and old, set about making their own Christingle. The children all coped extremely well; some
of the adults managed to break their candles and had to be supplied with
replacements!
Lucy read the first part of John’s gospel,
and then Jeremy gave us some fascinating details about light and how important
it is to us. Those who had phones with a
built in torch lit them and we all admired the lights on the twenty five
Christmas trees decorating the church.
Then Jeremy explained how Christ is the Light of the World and how
darkness and sin can never overpower his light.
The choir sang the ‘Candle Song’ with
Michael singing a solo, and then we all formed a circle round the church, the
lights were extinguished, and everyone’s Christingle Candle was lit from the
Advent Wreath. By the candlelight we all
joined in singing ‘Away in a Manger’ and a number of adults had lumps in their
throats and tears in their eyes!
Happily there were no accidents and
everyone was able to go through to the hall at the end of the service to enjoy
mulled wine, non-alcoholic punch and Christmas nibbles.
It was a very happy occasion and thanks
must go to Morrisons of Southport for generously providing the oranges.
The collection taken at the service will be
donated to the Children’s Society.
