The Christingle Candle

In Germany in 1747, Bishop Johanns de Watteville was searching for a way

that he could illustrate God's love

to the younger members of his congregation. 

Taking his lead from the Moravian Church,

the Bishop created the first Christingle service by giving

the children candles wrapped in a red ribbon

with the prayer

"Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these dear children's hearts".

The orange represents the world, the toothpicks are the

four corners of the world and the four seasons,

the red ribbon is the gift of peace from God through Christ,

and the Light represents our witness to

the Love of God.

Closer to the present day, John Pensom

of the Children's Society (a British charity that aids young people

who face danger or discrimination) introduced the

Christingle service to the Anglican Church

in 1968.

The custom spread quickly, and it is now

a valuable fundraising event during

Advent.