This year the Christingle service will take place at St. Margaret's, Halstead on Sunday 7th December at 10.30am. For more information on Christingle, continue reading the information below.

A Christingle celebration is a wonderful opportunity to bring together children, family and friends, forge stronger links between churches, local schools and youth groups and together celebrate the Christmas message. Whether you are new to Christingle or one of our regular supporters, this fun and festive event has something for everyone.

Why celebrate Christingle?

Christingle services bring together family and friends of all ages. This festive celebration communicates the Christian message in an inspiring way to adults and children alike. Through Christingle we will be raising essential funds to support our vital work with children whose childhoods have been stolen; children forced to run away from home or care who may find themselves sleeping on the streets this winter; young refugees fleeing conflict and war; those caught in a cycle of crime and detention; or children marginalised through disability. Any money raised through Christingle will help improve the childhood of thousands of children such as these.

The history of Christingle

Christingle was established by the Moravian Church in 1747 as a symbol of Christ's light and love. The Children's Society introduced it to the Church of England in 1968 and it has since become a popular family and community event.

What is a Christingle?

The Christingle itself is made up of a lighted candle (symbolising Jesus, the Light of the World), mounted on an orange (representing the world), and a red ribbon or tape around the middle of the orange (indicating the blood/love of Christ). Four cocktail sticks bearing dried fruit or sweets are also stuck into the orange to signify the four seasons and the fruits of the earth. See the photograph below.