The light shining in the darkness

The German pastor, John de Wattville, who was looking for a way in 1747 to explain the Christian message to the children of his church, really started something when he invented the Christingle.

Brought to England in 1968, Christingle services have spread all over the country, and have become a popular child-friendly way of proclaiming the truths of the Christian faith: at Advent, Epiphany or Christmas.

Tonight's was only our second ever Christingle service at St James. Attendance was up a whopping 88% on last year. It was great to see young and old flooding into the church for this very special service on the eve of Christmas Day.

If you've not yet been to a Christingle service, here is what it all means: the orange represents the world; the red ribbon, the blood of Christ shed for the world; the candle, the light of Christ shining into the world; and the fruits on the four cocktails sticks represent the fruits of the earth and the four seasons.

Pastor de Wattville's clever visual aid thus proclaims the love of God in creation and the love of God in salvation.