Leading up to Christmas the making of Christingles is a traditional activity that reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world. This year's Diocesan Christingle Service and Christmas Party was a real hit for all who took part.

On a warm but cloudy Sunday afternoon, 60 people (about two-thirds being under the age of 18yrs) gathered at St. Peter's Church in Caversham, led by our Child, Youth, and Family Educator Fr. John Graveston. They were there to sing, worship God, create their own Christingle, and enjoy the Christmas party afterward (with lots of food, and games). 

This intergenerational event started with a Christingle service led by Fr. John, Rev. Natalie, and the children in the congregation. The service began with the lighting of our joint large congregation Christingle, which guided us through our service. We then continued on to the creation of the Christingle with Christmas hymns such as "Not on a snowy night/Te Hari Nui", "Hark, the herald-angels sing" and "Joy to the World" spread throughout the service. At the conclusion, we ended with a blessing of our Christingles from Rev. Natalie:

Father of lights, from whom comes every good and perfect gift: we ask you to bless these Christingles, and may they be to us symbols of your love for all the world. Keep us in the light of Christ, to shine in your world, that all may believe in you through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Together we ask that the light that we search for may light ourway in love, this night, this Christmas, and in days to come. Amen

After the service, everybody gathered in the parish hall where Christmas Party food had been laid out, and after a bite to eat, the children were led in playing "pass the parcel" (made up of 10 layers of wrapping paper and two cardboard boxes), "rob the nest" (with baubles) as well as bauble and spoon races. Overall a great event for all that came.

A big thank you to all those who helped make the event a success.

Why do this?

During the weeks leading up to Christmas, many people from around the world make Christingles with their families. Making Christingles is a great way of learning about Jesus' reason for coming to earth in a fun and family-friendly way.

Christingles started in a church in Germany in 1747 when the Priest gave each child an orange and a candle wrapped in a red ribbon. Since then it has moved around the world and has become a big part of Christmas.

A Christingle service is a traditional service leading up to Christmas where we celebrate Jesus Christ as the Light of the World using oranges, sweets, and candles.

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