Christingle Service 2009

The Christingle is a Moravian custom that started in Marienborn, Moravia on 20th December 1747, at a children's service conducted by Pastor John de Wattville.

After singing hymns together, the Pastor read some verses which the children themselves had written about the Saviour's birth and he then went on to explain salvation to them and what happiness had come as a result of the birth of Jesus.

The world is represented by the orange, the white candle in the centre represents the sinless nature of Jesus Christ and the light reminding us that Jesus is "light of the world", bringing salvation to all who will accept Him as Saviour and Lord. The red frill at the base of the candle reminds us of the blood that Christ shed for our sins, the surrounding sweet and raisins representing the "fruits of the earth" or even the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The service in Gilead was arranged by the Guides, Brownies and Rainbows, Daphne Parker of the Salvation Army leading from the pulpit. The children were great as you can see from the pictures. Near the end the children light up the Christingle oranges and the chapel lights are switched off giving a very dramatic representation of Jesus as the Light of the world.

Thank you very much for to so many who worked so hard to make this such a memorable event.

The members and I would like to wish you a very joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keith and members at Gilead Chapel, Coity.