Family Christingle services will be held next week with young people from Peasedown St John and Shoscombe taking part.
The parish churches in both villages, which come under the leadership of Matthew Street, have decided to kick off the Advent season by celebrating the 43nd anniversary of the popular Christingle – which is now used in school plays and children’s nativities all over the world.
The Christingle, representing the earth and Jesus as the light of the world, was first introduced into the Church of England by the Children’s Society over forty years ago.
The Revd Matthew Street believes the Christingle has a message not just for children but for everyone. He said: “The orange represents the world, the red ribbon symbolising the blood of Christ, the four cocktail sticks with sweets and fruit illustrate God’s gifts and the four seasons, and the candle represents Jesus as the light of the world.
“The Christingle, quite simply, represents the core message of Christianity – that Jesus Christ, all year round, is the light and saviour of the world. This historic truth is not just something for children or the young at heart – but it is for everyone that chooses to believe it.”
Rob Bubyer, the Churches Childrens Worker, added: “The Christingle also very well illustrates that Jesus is not just with us Christmas, but he is with us all year round.”
The Christingle services will feature songs and activities for children, and will be held in:
St Julian’s Church Shoscombe, 10am, Sunday 4th December
Peasedown Youth Centre, 4.30pm, Sunday 4th December
For more information about Christmas events in the St J’s Group this year contact the Benefice Administrator, Hywel Carr, on: contact 07881 921018 or email [email protected]
Alternatively, visit the new look website for the St J’s Group, www.stjsgroup.com, which includes details of future events, the church’s work in the community, activities going on during the week and live recordings of Sunday sermons.
