Chloe Adams
Christingle is a symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations. The name Christingle probably derives from the German dialectical word 'Christkindl', meaning 'Christ-child' or 'Christmas gift'. Alternatively, it may mean 'Christ Light', given that the orange and candle symbolise Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. The tradition of Christingle was popularised in the United Kingdom by John Pensom in 1968 as a fundraising tool for the Children's Society of the Church of England. The custom, however, dates back to 1747 when Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville started the tradition in Germany. Today, Christingle consists of an orange representing the world, with a candle inserted in the centre, decorated with a red ribbon, fruits, nuts, and sweets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Object | Symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations |
| Symbolises | The birth of Christ, the Light of the World |
| Composition | A candle in an orange, decorated with a red ribbon, and sweets or dried fruit |
| Orange | Represents the world |
| Red ribbon | Represents the blood of Jesus |
| Sweets or dried fruit | Represents God's gifts to the world, including kindness and love |
| Four cocktail sticks | Represent the four seasons or the four corners of the world |
| Origin | The custom of Christingle began in the Moravian Church in Germany in 1747 |
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What You'll Learn
The orange represents the world
The Christingle is a symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations. It is made from a candle in an orange, typically decorated with a red ribbon and sweets or dried fruit. The orange represents the world, and the candle represents Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
The name Christingle is thought to derive from the German dialectical word "Christkindl", meaning "Christ-child" or "Christmas gift". Alternatively, it may originate from "'Christ Light', reflecting the orange and candle's symbolism of the Light of the World.
The tradition of the Christingle began with the Moravian Church and was first used at a Christmas Children's Festival in Germany in 1747. Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville started the tradition as "an attempt to get children to think about Jesus". The custom was later popularised in the United Kingdom by John Pensom in 1968 as a fundraising tool for the Children's Society of the Church of England.
The Christingle's orange represents the world, as referenced in John 1:10-11: "Jesus was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him." The round shape of the orange symbolises the world, and the candle placed in its centre represents Jesus, bringing light to the world.
The red ribbon wrapped around the orange symbolises the blood of Christ, shed for the forgiveness of sins. The four cocktail sticks skewered with fruits or sweets represent God's gifts to the world, including kindness and love, and the fruits of the earth. They also symbolise the four seasons or the four corners of the world (North, South, East, and West).
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The red ribbon symbolises Jesus' blood
The Christingle is a symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations. It is a joyful celebration that brings people together to shine a light and spread a message of hope. The custom of giving out lighted candles in these services began in Germany in 1747 but was not introduced to the Anglican Church in England until 1968.
The Christingle consists of an orange decorated with a candle, red ribbon, fruit, and sweets. The orange represents the world, and the candle, which is placed in the centre of the orange, represents Jesus, the Light of the World. The red ribbon symbolises Jesus's blood, which was shed for us so that our sins may be forgiven. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin". (1 Jn 1 v 7).
The red ribbon goes all around the orange, or the 'world', and being the colour of blood, reminds Christians that Jesus died for them. The ribbon is also a reminder of Christ's Passion, through which our redemption has come. The four cocktail sticks could have either of two meanings: the four seasons or the four corners of the world.
The origins of the Christingle are often attributed to Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville, who started the tradition in Germany in 1747 as "an attempt to get children to think about Jesus". The custom was later popularised in the United Kingdom by John Pensom, also known as "Mr Christingle", in 1968. He used the Christingle as a fundraising tool for the Children's Society of the Church of England, and the tradition has since spread to churches of all denominations.
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Four cocktail sticks represent seasons or directions
A Christingle is a symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations. It is made from a candle in an orange, typically decorated with a red ribbon and sweets or dried fruit. The orange represents the world, and the candle represents Jesus, the light of the world.
The four cocktail sticks that are used to secure the ribbon and hold the fruits and sweets in place can symbolise two things: the four seasons, or the four corners of the world (North, South, East, and West). The fruits and sweets themselves represent God's gifts to the world, including kindness and love.
The Christingle has its origins in a Moravian children's service held in Germany on Christmas Eve in 1747. The custom was popularised in the United Kingdom by John Pensom (also known as "Mr Christingle") in 1968 as a fundraising tool for the Children's Society of the Church of England. Today, thousands of churches hold Christingle services or celebrations, which are especially popular among children.
The name Christingle likely derives from the German word "Christkindl", meaning "Christ-child" or "Christmas gift". Alternatively, it could mean "Christ Light", given the orange and candle's symbolism of the Light of the World.
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Fruits and sweets represent God's gifts
A Christingle is a symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations. It is a joyful celebration that brings people together to spread a message of hope. The tradition was started in 1747 by Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville in Germany as "an attempt to get children to think about Jesus".
The Christingle consists of an orange representing the world, with a candle inserted in the centre and lit to represent Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. The candle is usually decorated with a red ribbon, which symbolises the blood of Christ. The fruits and sweets on four skewers represent God's gifts to us – the fruits of the earth and the four seasons. The four sticks on which the fruits and sweets are skewered also symbolise North, South, East and West.
The tradition of Christingle was popularised in the United Kingdom by John Pensom in 1968, who used it as a fundraising tool for the Children's Society of the Church of England. Since then, it has been a feature in Moravian churches across the United Kingdom. As members of Moravian churches moved away from their home congregations, they introduced the custom of Christingles to other denominations.
Today, the Christingle is a significant part of Christmas celebrations for many Christian denominations, with thousands of churches holding special Christingle services and celebrations.
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The candle symbolises Jesus, the light of the world
The Christingle is a symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations. It is a joyful celebration that brings people together to spread a message of hope. The candle symbolises Jesus, the light of the world.
The Christingle candle is placed in the centre of an orange, which represents the world. The candle is lit, symbolising Jesus as the light coming into the world. The light of the candle shining in the darkness is like the love of God, bringing hope to people living in darkness. The candle stands tall and straight, just as Jesus is a source of light and hope for Christians.
The custom of the Christingle began in the Moravian Church and was first used as part of a Christmas Children's Festival in Germany in 1747. The tradition was started by Moravian Bishop Johannes de Watteville, who wanted to find a simple way to explain to children the happiness that had come to people through Jesus. The custom was later popularised in the United Kingdom by John Pensom in 1968 as a fundraising tool for the Children's Society of the Church of England.
The Christingle candle is often decorated with a red ribbon, which represents the blood of Christ shed for the forgiveness of sins. The ribbon is wrapped around the orange, symbolising the world, and the colour red reminds Christians of the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity. The candle and ribbon together symbolise the light of Christ shining in the world, bringing hope and salvation.
The Christingle is a powerful symbol of the Christian faith, with each element carrying a rich layer of meaning. The candle at its heart, symbolising Jesus as the light of the world, is a reminder of God's love and the hope found in the Christian message.
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Frequently asked questions
A Christingle is a symbolic object used in the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services of many Christian denominations.
The candle represents Jesus, the light of the world.
The orange represents the world.
The red ribbon symbolises the blood of Christ shed when he died for our sins.
The fruits and sweets symbolise God's gifts to the world, including kindness and love.
