Weekly Update – 7th January
Jesus, the Light of the World
Way back, when I was a Brownie, we used to attend a Christingle Service held on the first Sunday of Advent. A very calm, quiet service with hymns.
As an 8-year-old, in a dark church, lit only by Christingle candles (and I was allowed to hold my own candle – very exciting), I found the whole service magical, and whilst I understood what the elements of the Christingle represented, the true meaning of the Christingle went way over my head!
How different the Christingle Service held at St Nics.
Full of chatter and light, everyone gets to build their own Christingle with the chance to discuss the true meaning of each part as you put your Christingle together. With the promise of a Christmas Tree bonfire to come, and sausages in a bun, the hubbub and excitement from the young families is palpable.
But, when the lights are dimmed, and the candles lit, a hush descends.
Fiona very kindly came to a Scout Christmas event we held a few years ago, where we built Christingles. The Beavers, Cubs and Scouts chatted, shouted, and screeched their way to campfire (gotta love them!)
But when the candles were lit, the hush crept in.
The idea of Christingles came from Germany in 1747, when children were given a lighted candle with a red ribbon around it. This represented Jesus being the light of the world and the final prayer of that first service was ‘Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these children’s hearts, that theirs like Thine become’.
Today, Christingle services raise money for The Children’s Society (there are collection boxes/envelopes at the back of church – to be returned by end of January please) and can be held between Advent and Candlemas. And the services take many different forms.
But, when the candles are lit, the hush descends.
Come and experience it for yourself, at 5pm on Sunday.
“Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in all our hearts, that ours like Thine become’.
Jenny
Churchwarden
ALAN FOREMAN
Fiona and family are sad to announce the death of Alan, a very dear husband, father and grandfather on the 3rd January. His faith and St. Nicholas Church were very close to his heart. He will be greatly missed but now he can rest in peace.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the future.
