This morning we as a church family are having our traditional Christingle service. Yes, it will be like all our other services; different, yet the message we bring remains the same.
We are now a nation which expects the unexpected at any time. So many were ready to journey today to visit family for those few special days we were promised and suddenly overnight were informed it is no longer possible.
First, let us stop and thank God for our Prime Minister in the difficult situation he constantly finds himself in. Is he perfect? Does he make the right decisions all the time? The answer is no and neither do you.
Who remembers the song that begins “I See Skys Are Blue” (What A Wonderful World)?
The world God created was a wonderful world but today our world is lost in darkness.
That is why I want to show you today why we once a year do this service Christingle.
It is about removing this darkness. To help us understand we use certain objects so are you ready? You are, well let’s go.
- The orange represents the world
- The red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and blood of Christ
- The sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creation
- The lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in darkness
Why do we need light? What is life like if we don’t have the light?
We need light to guide us. Without light, we can feel lost. Lights can show us the way to go.
Did you ever wonder why Christians light a candle at the beginning of our ‘collective worship’ and say those special words?
Advent candles are lit on each of the four Sundays in December. The fifth one is lit on Christmas day to mark Jesus’s birthday and to celebrate ‘Jesus the Light of the World’ coming to the people. Each candle has a different meaning, which originates from the first Christmas leading up to the birth of Jesus.
The candles for me personally represent the following.
- The first candle symbolises God’s people and reminds us to have ‘Hope’
- The second candle reminds Christians of how the Old Testament prophets told of Jesus’s coming and so means ‘Peace’
- The third candle is in memory of a special prophet called ‘John the Baptist’ and means ‘the fulfilment of God’s Promise’
- The fourth candle reminds us of Mary, the mother of Jesus and so it symbolises ‘Love’
- The fifth is the most special candle of all. It is lit on Christmas day and is the symbol of Jesus’s birth, bringing ‘Light’ to the world.
So let us end with this. A ‘Christingle’ means ‘Christ’s Light’ and is another symbol of the Christian faith which uses light to represent Jesus as the light of the world.
Christingle symbolises God’s love and helps Christians spread the word of God and give hope to others around the world.
Step inside the Christmas story and find that hope, peace and love God wants you to have in these very different times.
For God so loved the world He gave us His one and only son. And if you believe in Him you shall have life everlasting.
Stay safe and Blessed