As I sit at my laptop, and gaze at the church calendar in front of me on the wall, I’m reminded of the Red Letter days for February.
Here at St. John The Evangelist, Topsail, it is customary to celebrate each one, as we participate in a special service to complement the event.
Yesterday, February 4th, as the congregation both young and older assembled in our place of worship, we were gladdened to be introduced to, and be a part of the Christingle Service—a service symbolizing God’s Gift of Jesus to us, as the Light of the World. And as an aftermath to the winding down of Advent, Christingle serves as a reminder of the meaning of Christmas.
At the foot of the altar, with three of the younger members of our congregation participating, Canon Jotie used the analogy of an orange as a motif to demonstrate the best “Gift” of all. As Canon Jotie demonstrated the steps symbolizing the embodiment of the Christingle, he involved each child in the structural procedure of all five.
An orange represented the concept of a circle around the world.
A candle protruding through the centre to the top symbolized Jesus Christ as the Light of the World.
A red ribbon circling the orange was an embodiment of the blood of Jesus.
Toothpicks surrounding the orange represents God’s love pointing in all directions.
Candy in each pick is the sweetness of God’s love over the universe.
The children enthusiastically digested the instructions, and I know that at least one of them successfully repeated the procedure after church, at home.
To quote Benjamin Franklin: “Tell me and I will forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn.”
After conclusion of the service, everyone was invited downstairs for fellowship and food, prepared and served by the ACW. A blessed day was enjoyed by all.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
