My Family's Incredible Holiday Tradition of attending Chistingle Services

My Family's Incredible Holiday Tradition of attending Chistingle Services

We have been attending Christingle Services every since my grandfather began these services at his Church. They usually begin at 7 pm on Christmas Eve and last 1/2 hour.  Christingle services are basically for children and are associated with the four Sundays of Advent, and culminate on Christmas Eve.  During the service, each child in attendance is presented with a decorated orange, which represents the world. A piece of red ribbon is tied around the orange's circumference to represent the blood of Jesus and sweets or dried fruits are placed on four toothpicks poked into the orange. These represent the four seasons and the fruits of the earth. A candle is inserted into the top of the orange to represent Jesus Christ. Then everyone sings Christmas Carols.

Originally from Moravia, this service uses the symbolism of the Christingle to celebrate the birth of Jesus - the light of the world. During the service the children will have the chance to make their Christingle and light a candle, then they get to eat the sweets!