Welcome
A very special welcome to each and every one of you to this special service in a very special and unusual year. This service will be available for you to enjoy and to share until the new year.
‘Christingle’ means Christ Light and is a symbol of the Christian faith.
The idea of the Christingle actually began in Marienborn, Germany in 1747. At a children’s service, Bishop Johannes de Watteville looked for a simple way to explain the happiness that had come to people through Jesus. He decided to give the children a symbol to do this. This was a lighted candle wrapped in a red ribbon. At the end of the service, whilst the children held their candles, the bishop said the prayer, ‘Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these children’s hearts that theirs like thine become.’
Opening
We give thanks to God our heavenly Father for his great love in sending Jesus to be the light of the world
Christ has brought us out of darkness: to live in his marvellous light.
O Little Town of Bethlehem…
Lighting of Advent Candles
We have already lit a candle of HOPE and a candle of PEACE and they remind us that Christ will come again. On this 3. Sunday in Advent we light a candle of JOY.
Lord the light of your love is shining…
The Christingle Activity
Response:
Glory to Christ, Son of Mary
Born a child, you are one with us.
Glory to God in the highest.
Glory to Christ, Son of David
born to rule, you reign in our hearts.
Glory to God in the highest.
Glory to Christ, Son of Man
born to save, you are the light of the world.
Glory to God in the highest.
The Christingle Song:
listen to the audio and sing along if you wish
The Christingle begins with an orange
Telling us of the world God made
For creation is full of his glory
All around we see his love displayed
Sing Christingle ! Sing Christingle !
Sing Christingle it’s the light of Christ !
Sing Christingle ! Sing Christingle !
Sing Christingle Light of Christ.
Every Year we give thanks for the seasons
And the fruits of the earth to share
The Christingle is here to remind us
That the love of God is everywhere
God of love we give thanks now for Jesus
We remember his birth again
But the red ribbon round the Christingle
Tells the story of his cross and pain
To complete the Christingle: a candle
Shining out in the darkest night
Jesus promised to lead us and guide us
Come and celebrate the world’s true light
The Prayers:
based on the Christingle
THE ORANGE
– thank you Lord for our beautiful and precious world
– thank you Lord for the leaders of all the nations that are working hard to save our world from further climate disasters
– dear Lord help us to care for our world by being mindful about waste and sensible about what we use Amen.
THE STICKS OF FRUIT
– thank you Lord for the variety that our seasons give us
– the beauty of spring, the fun in summer, the glory of autumn, the excitement of winter
– thank you for the fruits of the earth and we long for a world where nobody will go hungry Amen.
THE RED RIBBON
– thank you Lord for the reminder that your love was costly
– we pray for all those for whom love is costly Amen.
THE CANDLE
– thank you Lord for the light to lead us when we have difficult decisions
– thank you Lord for the light when life has suffering and feels dark and lonely
– help us to share the light of your love and friendship with those who need a word or act of kindness Amen
we pause for a moment of stillness to bring our own prayers to God….. Amen.
The Blessing and Dismissal:
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shine in your hearts and fill your lives with his joy and his peace. And the blessing …..
God shines in your heart!
Praise to Christ our light!
Christ is the light of the world!
Praise to Christ our light!
Go, in the power of the Spirit, to bring light to others!
Praise to Christ our light!