Christingle Service
Kids@Church joined our 10:30am congregation on Sunday 18th December for a Christingle service.
The church was packed and, as you will see from these photographs, everyone together, old and young sat around tables as we made the Christingles step by step through the service. The Music Group played along and helped to lead our worship.
As we thought about the symbolism of the orange, an inflatable globe was carefully passed around the congregation (including those up in the gallery) to remind us of the need to look after God's creation and take care of the earth.
The red band of the Christingle was a reminder for us that in Jesus, God's love for the whole world and all people was shown, and how Jesus changed their lives for good. We sang "Down to earth" by Fishy Music and watched the short video of a Very British Nativity.
We recalled how through bread and wine made from the fruit of the earth, Jesus showed us how he would save us. Through food and drink God has always shown people how he loves them, as we put the sweets onto the cocktail sticks.
The candle in the centre of the orange reminded us of Jesus being the light of the world and that we need not be afraid of the dark.
Our offering went to support the work of All We Can and their work with refugees in Jordan an dated Lebanon.
We then lit one Christingle and from that one flame, passed the light from one Christingle to another, until all of them were lit – we then said this prayer together.
"Lord Jesus, I hold in my hands a picture of your love. Help me to remember those with little or nothing to hold, especially children who don't have enough to eat or a safe place to live. Today, as I hold my Christingle and remember you, I pray that you would make me someone, like you, who will reach out my opened hands to give and love like you do. Amen"
Wantage Methodist Church
Newbury Street
Wantage
Oxfordshire
OX12 8DA