St George’s Church service helps children focus on the true meaning of Christmas

Thursday, November 27, 2003

St George’s Anglican Church will provide a chance for children from around the island to focus on the spiritual meaning of Christmas when it holds its fourth annual Christingle service this Sunday, 30 November.
The Christingle service marks the start of Advent, the period during which Christians prepare to commemorate the birth of Christ. It is a special children’s service in which everyday objects are used to demonstrate the central message of Christianity.

Each child attending receives a lighted candle set atop an orange, signifying Christ as the light of the world. The orange is decorated with red ribbons and candy, which signify the salvation and blessings Christ gives to the world.

Christingle services have a long tradition in many parts of Europe, the UK, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. Children not only enjoy the candy and fruit, which they get to keep, but the highly participative songs and movement, prayers, Bible readings and other aspects.

The celebration is also an opportunity for them to share in the spirit of giving as they are invited to bring offerings for less fortunate children.
This year, a collection will be taken for the Grace Christian Fellowship in Bungoma, Kenya, to support children in their orphanages. Most of the orphans are ‘AIDS babies’ abandoned by their relatives.

In previous years, donations and supplies given by children attending Christingle service have been sent to children in Montserrat and Belize, and, last year, to the Cayman Crisis Centre.

Participants expected in this Sunday’s service are the St George’s Pre-school, Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Cubs and Scouts, along with students from several schools.

All children and their parents are invited to attend. The service will start at 4 pm. St George’s Church is located on Courts Road, off Eastern Ave. For more information, contact the church office, 949-5583.

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